This Man Saved 20,000 Books From The Trash And Started A Library For Underprivileged Kids
For 16 years, Jos¨¦ Alberto Guti¨¦rrez, has been salvaging books from the trash, which he then lends to poorer children in his community.
Most us would just disregard used books as trash, but for these children, it's treasure and Alberto is ensuring that all of them get a chance to expand their knowledge.
AP
The garbage hauler has retrieved over 20,000 books from the trash he collects from upper class neighbourhoods in Bogot¨¢, Colombia, the children lovingly call him 'Lord of the Books.'
¡°This should be in all neighbourhoods, on each corner of every neighbourhood, in all the towns, in all departments, and all the rural areas,¡± Guti¨¦rrez told AP in 2015. ¡°Books are our salvation and that is what Colombia needs.¡±
Gutierrez, 53, attributes his love for reading books to his mother. He has devoured the works of Leo Tolstoy, Victor Hugo and Mario Vargas Llosa.
"There's nothing more beautiful than having a book in your pocket, in your bag or inside your car," says Gutierrez who runs the community library in his own house.
Watch the video below:
