GIA signs MoU with Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) signed a Memo of Understanding (MoU) with the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, to provide four elementary schools in South Africa with Mandela Day Libraries. The project of Mandela Day Libraries began in 2011 with the goal of bridging the gap in literacy and reading proficiency in schools throughout South Africa. It endeavours to bring libraries to schools which lack reading facilities, as such helping children access appropriate reading material in their own languages. Librarians are trained to manage the facilities and inspire a love of reading among South Africa’s youth.

GIA will provide libraries to two schools in 2013 and two more in 2014. The MoU supports the legacy of Nelson Mandela to ensure sustainability through transformative democracy. Susan M. Jacques, chair of the GIA Board of Governors, and Sello K. Hatang, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, met in Carlsbad, CA on July 22 to enact the agreement.

The Mandela Day Container Libraries are created from large shipping containers that have been recycled and retrofitted with new flooring, insulation, electricity and book shelves. The Institute will also provide a selection of books for each library. Breadline Africa, a nongovernmental organization and internationally registered South African-based charity, is the main partner of the container program.

“We are excited about our new collaboration with GIA. It will present many pupils with an opportunity to improve their literacy and ultimately their lives. Literacy remains an enormous challenge in Africa and is a key priority on the youth agenda,” added Hatang.

“We’re looking forward to growing our relationship with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The first phase of this collaboration will establish libraries in towns where children are underprivileged,” said Bev Hori, GIA’s chief learning officer and vice president of education. “This will be the first time some of these students have had access to books.”

GIA has developed education programs in Africa over the past decade to help bring more value from the global trade of diamonds to the countries that are the source of so many gems.