Copyright virginislandsdailynews
TORTOLA — Hundreds of students spent time out of the classroom and in the library as the renowned Logos Hope made the British Virgin Islands a pitstop on its global book fair tour. This library was no ordinary library, as this was a floating one with over 5,000 books. Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe stood in awe as primary school students from Tortola and Virgin Gorda go through the book assortment. “This is amazing. I’ve heard about it from people who would have experienced it before but to experience it, I’m just glad that they have opened their doors to our children,” Crabbe said. “I see lots of students here. We’ll have more on Monday and Tuesday as well, and for those who would go over the weekend, we’ve planned for over 600 students to visit the book fair.” The books, which were available for sale, cost only as much as a soda. ” “I’m here thinking of how we can purchase some of these books for ourselves from the Ministry, because we’re not going to get an opportunity to see a $2 book again,” she said. Logos Hope is the world’s largest floating book fair and will be in the BVI -- its 154th stop -- through Wednesday. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Logos Hope, which currently has a crew of 350 from 65 different countries, has welcomed over 50 million people since it started sailing in 1970. Managing Director Decio de Carvalho told The Daily News that the mission is one of knowledge, help and hope. “Beyond the book fair, we also have lots of groups that go onshore and work along communities, churches, government entities, schools and volunteer organizations, to serve, collaborate and meet people and offer knowledge, help and hope,” he said. Carvalho said the BVI government, via letter, invited the ship to dock. “Typically, we plan for a year and a half, two, to go to different parts of the world and stay there for some time,” he said. “We’ve been in the Caribbean for about a year.” Carla Kisnasammy, principal of Little Rainbow School on Virgin Gorda, said she brought 17 students ranging from ages 3 to 2 and they were excited. “I am excited as well. I need everything because these books are actually the future for the children,” she said. “Once they get into them, they will try and explore more, so I’m happy for this book fair.” Caroline Rayan, an Elmore Stoutt High School 12th grader who’s dually enrolled in the Stoutt College marine and technical studies, was among a group of 15, who attended. She described the fair as “fun and interesting. “It brings people together and it’s healthy. I’m a bookie, so anything bookie, I will come,” she said. Education Officer Janice George-Harris, who was at the fair when Logos Hope was in Antigua and Barbuda, said the visit to the BVI was like a homecoming, especially for someone like her who likes books. “It will take you a whole day here because there are so many books and so many genres to choose from and for different grade levels as well,” she said. “The selections are very good. The books are thoughtfully selected, and as you can see, the students here right now are totally in awe of what they’re seeing. She said having the ship come to share their books is an excellent idea, and a great way to improve “for literacy and building school libraries and class libraries.” “This is an affordable way to do so, because the books are affordable and you can make an affordable contribution to schools and classes across the territory,” she said.
