2010-2011

News Release

REF NO.: 104

SUBJECT: Memorial University students sleep over at school for literacy

DATE: January 26, 2011

Two Memorial University students are sleeping over at school for a week for a good cause.
Julia Curtis, a first-year medical student, and Maria Brazil, a double major in English and biochemistry, will pitch a tent in the Queen Elizabeth II Library on Thursday, Jan. 27, and won’t be coming out again for seven days in an effort to raise money and awareness for literacy.
As participants of Live-in for Literacy, a student initiative spanning eight Canadian universities, they hope to raise a total of $27,000 to build six school libraries in India. Last year, the Memorial portion of the funds raised was $3,000. This year, the women are aiming to raise $5,000.
As part of the challenge, the students will only emerge from their temporary home – a dome tent in the library’s front lobby – for five minutes per hour for the entire seven days. They will have access to their laptops in order to keep up with their assignments, as they will have to miss classes, as well as a healthy collection of books, DVDs, comfy pillows and snacks.
The entire event will also be broadcast live via webcam in order for anyone to check in and see the women living in the library in real time.
This will be the fourth year Memorial University students have taken up Live-in for Literacy’s challenge to forego the comforts of home in order to make a difference. From a computer lab in Cambodia to school libraries in Nepal and India, Memorial – and Canadian -- university students are making a difference simply by sleeping over at school.
More information about Live-in for Literacy 2011 is available online, or you can drop by the QE II Library anytime beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.
To make a donation to the cause, call 709-864-3111.

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