My love of books helped me survive, says Terry Waite
Former hostage Terry Waite who, 30 years ago this month, was held in solitary confinement for almost four years before he was given a book, has launched the KM Group’s Year of Reading campaign.
The former special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury is to help champion literacy in schools and communities across Kent.
Mr Waite, who was held in Lebanon from 1987 to 1991 after going to secure the release of hostages including journalist John McCarthy, met KM Group staff and members of the KM Charity Team who will run neighbourhood events to promote the Year of Reading.
The 77-year-old described how his five year captivity had highlighted the importance of reading and imagination.
Citing his love of literature as an important element in surviving his ordeal he said: “In my years of captivity much of my time was spent in solitary confinement, mostly in darkness. I had no books or paper at all for almost four years. I had to use my imagination, I had to begin to write in my head. I could do that because my imagination had been stimulated as a child through books.”
Mr Waite, who later wrote about his experience in Taken On Trust, praised the project’s focus on reading across Kent. He said: “Reading ultimately helps to develop a child’s imagination and they will find with books in their life they will lead a richer and fuller life.”
Geraldine Allinson, chairman of the KM Group, said: “Even in these modern days of digital technology reading skills are just as important to people’s lives as they have always been. Throughout 2017 KM will be supporting and promoting a range of different initiatives to help children and adults in Kent to develop their reading abilities. We think it is really important to help improve the future prospects of people in our county and developing reading skills is an essential way to do this.”