Sir, In the Tenby Observer of March 10, you were kind enough to print my letter concerning the need for educational resources in Third World countries. Under the heading of 'We can do something,' I asked whether your readers would be kind enough to let me have any books that they no longer needed. I write again to tell those same readers that your response has been overwhelming. I had thought perhaps to fill the boot of the car and maybe the back seat and take them to Book Aid International in London for onward distribution. The reality was that I had to hire a four-ton truck/ van, loaded with well over 120 boxes containing all of 6,000 or more books. Besides the books themselves, I had offers of help in kind; several people thrust money into my hand to defray costs; a neighbour helped me for hours to pack the boxes and load the van; and a good friend drove with me to Camberwell last Wednesday, April 26. (I reclaimed my garage on Thursday). The books were received with open arms at Book Aid. By today, they will have been sorted meticulously and some may already be on their way to their needy destinations. The South Pembrokeshire donors are unlikely ever to meet the grateful recipients, but be assured that they would thank you if they could. So, you did do a little something. Let us not delude ourselves that we have solved any problems of these people, we have barely scratched the surface. But the largest oak tree grew from something small, didn't it? Very many thanks!
Newman Vincent,
'The Cottage', The Glen, Saundersfoot.