Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se meets with students at the newly opened Thank You Small Library at the Major-General Hayelom Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa on July 13.
The 35th Thank You Small Library has been built in Ethiopia, as Korea and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation have now established four new libraries in the East African nation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se visited the Major-General Hayelom Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on July 13 to celebrate the opening of the new library with students, their parents and teachers. Celebration participants included UNWTO ST-EP Foundation Chairperson Dho Young-shim and Ethiopian government representatives, including State Minister of Education Fuad Ibrahim.
“Ethiopia is a friend indeed, as it helped Korea when we were having difficulties. I am so happy to meet you, the future of Ethiopia,” said Minister Yun to the students.
“I hope that in the future you will be able to realize your bright dreams by reading books, as you are the future of Ethiopia. I hope that this library can become a cradle for creating the Miracle of Abyssinia,” he added.
Minister Yun offered soccer balls and stationery items to the students after the ceremony.
Students at the Major-General Hayelom Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa sing together to celebrate the opening of the Thank You Small Library on July 13.
Since 2007, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation have been supporting the Thank You Small Library Project, which aims to open libraries mainly at elementary schools. Thanks to the project, a total of 169 libraries have been opened in about 20 countries, including Ghana and Ethiopia.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se (right) delivers his congratulatory remarks during the opening ceremony for the new Thank You Small Library at the Major-General Hayelom Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa on July 13.
Participants cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the Thank You Small Library at the Major-General Hayelom Araya Primary School in Addis Ababa on July 13.
