We have all kinds of gadgets and devices today to keep us entertained.
But, there’s still nothing quite like a good book. Connecting with well-written characters in a classic from the past, solving an intriguing murder mystery, being spooked by something scary, or discovering something we never knew in a work of non-fiction, books can inspire, amaze, entertain, and educate people of all ages. Its importance should never be overlooked.
In Colombia, one man’s love for books made him an international sensation. A 57-year-old Jose Alberto Gutierrez lives and works in Bogota, Colombia. He’s a garbage man, spent his days hauling trash around. But, one incident, changed the way he worked forever.
One day, Jose noticed something special in the trash. As he was a lover of the written word and an appreciator of fine literature, Jose simply couldn’t fail to spot it: a copy of Anna Karenina by the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, often considered one of the greatest novels ever written.
For Jose, seeing that book in the trash was just the same as seeing a beautiful painting abandoned in the street.
He picked it up and taking it home with him. And he started to collect books and he has an extraordinary total of more than 25,000 books. Jose along with his fellow garbage men rescued books from the trash and stored in his own home.
Jose collects more than 50 books each day, the ground floor of his house effectively began to transform into a library!
People started to hear about Jose’s story, he began to get demands from local members of the community.
People started asking him if they could borrow a book or two for their children, and eventually, Jose’s collection developed into a true community library, known as “La Fuerza de las Palabras” (The Strength of Words).
Jose’s family helps him to keep the library running, inviting children and book lovers of all ages in to find new stories to fall in love with. They also donate books and reading materials to schools in the area.
It is very helpful for those people who can’t afford books. It’s also helping children enjoy more learning opportunities. Jose’s local school didn’t have a library of its own, but now it does, and it’s all thanks to him.
He’s donated books to 235 different schools and communities, and it is growing higher all the time.
He is also known as “Lord of Books.” Jose is thrilled to be making such a vital contribution to the local area. His efforts to inspire children to read and giving them all a brighter future is commendable.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Jose explained that he grew up in an area where people are forced to work at an early age due to a lack of educational opportunities. He wants to do something for the underprivileged children of his city, and he’s doing a great job!
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