Adding to its educational efforts in Africa, GIA recently entered into a collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory to provide Mandela Day Libraries to four South African elementary schools.

Example of the inside of a Mandela container library.

The Mandela Day Libraries project began in 2011, bringing recycled shipping containers that have been outfitted with flooring, electricity, book shelves, and a selection of books to schools without reading facilities. Librarians run the facilities and work with the children to inspire a love of reading among South Africa’s youth. For many children, these libraries will be their first access to reading material in their own languages.

Sello Hatang, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Susan Jacques, chair of the GIA Board of Governors, sign a Memorandum of Understanding between GIA and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

GIA will provide libraries to two schools in 2013 and two more in 2014. The partnership, which focuses on increasing literacy among African youth, is closely aligned with GIA’s education-centered mission and benefication initiative.

GIA supports the diamond industry benefication effort, which promotes activities like sorting, cutting and polishing being conducted in-country in order to bring more value to the countries that are the source of the gems. GIA’s educational programs further these efforts by providing education that will help local communities develop and improve the skills  that can lead to sustainable employment in the gem and jewelry industry.

In addition to this exciting collaboration with the Mandela Day Libraries, GIA’s educational programs for youth include its Junior Gemologist Program™, which was introduced in 2012 in Johannesburg and Botswana, and gives 10-to-15-year-old students the opportunity to discover the world of gemology through hands-on, practical training. More than 1,000 students receive gem and jewelry educational materials and learn about jewelry program options at the Johannesburg Career Indaba trade show during Africa Education Week.

Learn more about the collaboration between GIA and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.

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