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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 9, 2007 - 17 Just like Oakville library Continued from page 15 "This library is a children's library and it will support the tutoring programs that World Literacy offers. It will provide an opportunity for children to learn the joy of reading. It will also provide a toy library to children who have no exposure to educational toys and it will provide access to the Internet and the World Wide Web for children who otherwise will have had no experience with computers." Onufryk admits that many of the programs that are scheduled to be used in the Varanasi library have their origins in Oakville. "Story times, book clubs, drama clubs, summer reading programs and even a battle of the books, like we had in Oakville, are being planned for the community." Onufryk said she became emotional as she watched an empty mansion slowly transform into a place that will now grant knowledge to thousands. "I was involved in interviewing five candidates for the position of librarian and I was down the street at the office interviewing them. Barb had "To whom much is given, much is expected. That's very true." Barb Riley Oakville resident been working on the library and at that point we didn't have anything other than the shelves in the room," said Onufryk. "When I came back from the interview the library, looked like a library. Barb had put out the books, they were in the bookcases, things were on display and I almost burst into tears. I was so thrilled with what this library is going to bring to the children in the community." The library currently contains around 3,000 books with Onufryk and Riley hoping to triple that number, but they say finding books in Hindi is surprisingly difficult in Varanasi. "Many of the children's books published in India are published in English because the middle and upper middle class want their children to learn English," said Onufryk. With an average income of $45 to $60 a month, the children from the families who live in the vicinity of the library do not fall into these categories. "A lot of the children that World Literacy is working with that will be coming to the library won't be learning English. They are from the slums and just dealing with the Hindi language is enough for them," said Riley. "So it's important to contribute to what they need." With the library now open Riley and Onufryk have returned to Oakville, a world away from the impoverished neighborhood where residents may now experience a brighter future because of what they did. "It is just so easy for us in a privileged community like Oakville to be able to hand over money, but actually doing something is so much more rewarding," said Riley. Onufryk looks to a bible verse to explain why she did what she did. "To whom much is given, much is expected,' That's very true," she said. PHOTO COURTESY BARB RILEY TURNING THINGS AROUND: Sandra Onufryk at the library she and Barb Riley of Oakville helped set up in a slum of India's city of Varanasi. Reading | Writing | Math | Spelling | Grammar | French | Study Skills OFFICIAL NOMINATION ENTRY CARRIER OF THE YEAR! Your Name INSIDE EVERY CHILD IS A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT. For every age, for every need, Oxford Learning has a program to help your child succeed! Pre-K to Grade 12 Better Grades Confidence & Motivation Diagnostic Assessments Individualized Programs Regular Parent Reports Enrichment Programs Homework Support Sibling Discounts Organization Tips Gifts & Home Address THE DECORATING CLASS HE presented by Interior Designer, Susan Madigan Carr Phone Yes, I would like to nominate my carrier: Name for Oakville Beaver Carrier of the Year! Comments: Where: Finials 67 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905-825-1202 When: Wed., Mar. 21-April 11 (7pm-9pm) p p Thurs., April 5-April 2 (7pm-9pm) Cost: 4 Week Session $135 A better future for your child starts here! Contact us today for more information. www.oxfordlearning.com The Decorating Class will inspire you to discover what is current and popular in home decorating and what style suits you, your lifestyle and your family. Course Includes: Principles of Design, style, colour, furniture placement, storage, display and staging ideas. Call today to Register, as space is limited! email: finialsbronte@yahoo.ca 67 Bronte Road, Oakville Voted Best Learning Centre 905-825-1202 Please mail nominations to: The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON L6K 2S4 or Fax to: (905) 337-5557 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-1929 380 Dundas St. E. Oakville (905) 257-1207 Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027