Orica fosters a passion for reading in rural communities of the Dominican Republic through DREAM Project’s “My Very Own Library”
Pueblo Viejo, Sánchez Ramírez, Dominican Republic – DREAM Project, in partnership with Orica, one of the world’s leading providers of mining and infrastructure solutions, continues to expand access to reading in vulnerable communities. As part of a three-year agreement between the two organizations, the My Very Own Library (MVOL) program will be implemented in rural public schools, including Pueblo Viejo, Sánchez Ramírez.
As part of this collaboration, a book fair was held on Tuesday, March 4, at the Arroyo Vuelta Educational Center in Pueblo Viejo, under the theme “Reading Heroes.” Thanks to Orica’s sponsorship and community commitment, all elementary students participated in this educational experience, which combined learning and fun through activities, such as painting, storytelling, and puppetry, fostering a love for reading.
The event was attended by Orica collaborators, who highlighted the positive impact of these initiatives. “Book fairs greatly benefit communities, as they provide children and young people with a better future. They also open their minds to a more creative world where they can discover new ideas and envision their future,” said Wellington López, Orica’s Territory Manager. Miguel Rivera, a technical engineer at Orica, also expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the activity: “Promoting reading, drawing, and other activities for children and young people is essential. We know they are the future of the world and each country. I am grateful to DREAM Project and Orica for their support and for continuing to drive these initiatives.”
The children of the community also shared their excitement. Danna Josmerli Rodríguez, a sixth-grade student at the Arroyo Vuelta Educational Center, said: “I am very happy about the book fair, because reading is part of imagination and creativity. I am also very grateful for the books, thanks to Orica. I want to say thank you for working here with the Arroyo Vuelta school.”
Clara José Concepción, representing the school community, expressed her gratitude for the support received: “I feel very fortunate to have this book fair here. It is a wonderful opportunity for children and young people to access reading, which is essential for their intellectual and emotional development. Reading allows them to explore new worlds, learn about different cultures, and gain knowledge that will enrich their lives. Thank you very much.”
