Reading Builds Confidence

To the community of Oneida, home to the Oneida Nation of the Thames located 30 kilometres south of London, Ontario, June 9th 2018 has special significance. It is the reopening of the community’s Standing Stone School library after extensive renovations. Oneida does not have a library, so the school’s library is extremely important to the entire community.

In partnership with the Martin’s Family Initiative, Fu Hui will fund the upgrade and renovation of six libraries in six First Nation communities. Standing Stone is the second one. The chairman of Fu Hui Mr. Stanley Kwan along with several donors and volunteers attended the opening ceremony on June 9 th .

The library’s opening ceremony was a big event for the community. The public was invited to attend, over two hundred students wore specially designed T-shirts to witness this important moment. The Fu Hui representatives were warmly greeted by the school. In his speech to the assembly, Chairman Stanley Kwan pointed out that Fu Hui value that every child should have the opportunity to receive an education and reading is the foundation of education. Fu Hui is delighted that it can do something towards education in the First Nations communities. In the opening ceremony, the Right Honorable Mr. Paul Martin also delivered a speech via video.

The renovation of the school library is a new chapter in their new development. New carpeting and modern book shelves were installed; children furniture was added; new books were bought along with board games and computers. The walls were donned with Indigenous decorations and inspirational posters to enable the growing children to receive positive messages.

Two of the male students who were using the library’s computers stated that they were elated about the opening of the library. One of them said that the brand new carpeting is very good because it is much safer than before when there was no carpeting and the books are cataloged in a more orderly fashion. The other students liked the new computers the most as well as the board games and graphic novel.

The principal is extremely thankful to Fu Hui for its support in the renovation of the library. She said that the library has a huge impact on the children, now, they feel that coming to the library is something very pleasant. Because they are comfortable with books they like, their reading abilities will naturally improve giving rise to growth in their self-confidence. “Without the help of Fu Hui, we cannot complete this task. ” The principal also hope that the school library can ultimately expand to being the community’s library for the families in the entire community to utilize and enjoy.

More:
Library Opening at Maupeltuewey Kina'matno'kuom

Library opening at Keethanow Elementary School

Library opening at Moosomin First Nation School