On November 2nd, 2009;  The Founder and President of READ— Dr Antonia Neubauer — was felicitated by Nepal Tourism Board for her outstanding contribution in developing rural tourism through literacy.

Sharing her motivation for establishing libraries in villages of Nepal, Dr Neubauer said that the trekking guide inspired her to set up  a library in Namche village in 1981. She added that it was due to inspiration from a guide that she understood the importance of education in Nepal’s villages.  She explained that READ is about educational, economic and community development as a whole. National Planning Commission former vice-president and Emeritus board member of READ Nepal Dr Mohan Man Saiju said READ has been identifying tourism potential destinations and establishing libraries at those places so as to produce skilled human resources which can deliver standard services to tourists visiting the country. “The libraries have not only developed reading culture in Nepal but also helped in disseminating information to tourists visiting Nepal,” said

Nepal Library Association president Bhola Kumar Shrestha. He added that literacy is one of the important millennium development goals set by the government.

During the ceremony, there was a presence of the CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Press and Media and READ Nepal well wishers. The news was widely covered by Nepal media.

This is a great honor for READ to be recognized by the government body of Nepal.