We're delighted to introduce our first of what we hope will be many partnerships with worthy organizations working to bring light to our world.  When you use DISCOUNT Code "Rainbow" as you checkout in the Middle Davids online store, as always, you'll enjoy high quality sustainably crafted candles delivered to you for low $4.95 flat rate shipping (within the Continental US), but you'll also save $1 on your order, and of far more importance, 20% of your entire purchase will be donated to Rainbow of Hope.

We're hoping to provide 500 books to Rainbow of Hope - here's our progress so far!

“Rainbow of Hope” is an Indonesian non-profit association that is working in partnership with the Island Literacy Network (ILS) to establish community-led reading posts throughout Indonesia.

Indonesia is a growing and developing democracy made up of around 234 million people spread out over thousands of islands and speaking more than 300 local languages. Official literacy figures from the Indonesia government rate adult literacy fairly high for most provinces, however these numbers show only part of the picture. Many Indonesians have basic reading skills but they lack access to materials that will strengthen and expand their literacy ability so as to function at a higher level of productivity. Young readers lack access to reading materials which will stimulate their creativity and encourage them on to new heights and broader understanding.  Many people especially in more remote rural areas, have developed coping strategies to compensate their basic literacy skills (i.e. Level 2 in UNESO's LAMP Five Levels of Literacy), but they need post-literacy or non-formal educational programs to meet the challenges of an ever changing world.

While there has been much focus on education in recent years by the national government, the task remains too big for the government alone.  Many schools in Indonesia are greatly underfunded, in grave disrepair and few have an adequate library or after school tutoring programs to help kids reach their potential. Additionally, academic and government sources have argued the positive correlation between literacy rates and economic growth.

The Rainbow of Hope/ILS reading posts will become community centers providing additional community development services such as health and hygiene education and other community development needs as defined by each particular community in partnership Rainbow of Hope.  Middle Davids has a long-time personal friend working with this program and living in Sumatra, Indonesia to help ensure your donation is applied prudently.  So go ahead, click the Big Blue Shopping Bag and “Save a dollar, Serve the world!”