Educator leaves literacy legacy in Ethiopia

By Katherine Adams, The Daily News

GALVESTON, TEXAS — Alice Van Borssum raised nine children and then decided that when her youngest one went to kindergarten, she wanted to resume her own education.

She enrolled at Galveston College, and later at the University of Houston where she earned her master’s degree.

Van Borssum realized she had a gift, particularly for students who needed help with reading.

In December 2005, her death brought a sense of loss at Galveston College, where she continued to teach until the end of her life.

Babe Van Borssum, the eighth of Alice’s children, followed her mother’s footsteps and is also a teacher in upstate New York.

“I went to a conference and met someone who’s part of a nonprofit organization called Ethiopia Reads,” she said.

“I met Jane Kurtz, who is a children’s book author who grew up in Ethiopia and writes about biculturalism and about life in Ethiopia.”

Bicultural children are those who have left one culture and go to another.

“She writes books for kids who are having trouble belonging where they are, and she talked about this group called Ethiopia Reads,” Van Borssum said.

“It’s about developing a culture of literacy in Ethiopia. That put the bug into my ear. I really wanted to help.

“I think it had a lot to do with my mom, who had an adventurous spirit, settling into heaven, looking down and saying, ‘Hmm, what big idea can I throw down to Babe?’”

A year later, 11 teachers and librarians went to Ethiopia. Van Borssum said she raised $10,000 for books for the library the educators wanted to start in Addis Ababa.

She collected 500 books, which were stacked all over her living room floor. Upon arriving at the training center, she was thrilled to see all her books there in boxes, ready for eager readers to begin learning.

“It’s a teacher and librarian training center, and we’d like to name it after my mother,” she said.

“I have spent wonderful weeks in Ethiopia training teachers and librarians — doing all sorts of topics. We bring all our best practical ideas.”

On April 17, a presentation on Alice Van Borssum’s vision to bring the joy of books to everyone will be shown at Rosenberg Library.

“We’re going to do a fundraising event at the library, and we’ll show people slides and give information about the training center in Ethiopia named for my mother.

“The fundraiser is in memory of mom, and the proceeds will go to the training center. Almost all my siblings will be there. Everyone is welcome and we appreciate all donations.

“I have been to Ethiopia two times in the last six months. I’ve been asked to start up this training center, and I’d love to do it in my mom’s name.”

+++

At A Glance

WHAT: Fundraiser for training center in Ethiopia

WHEN: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 17

WHERE: Wortham Auditorium in the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave., Galveston

On the Web

• www.ethiopiareads.org