Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Moran. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Books For Africa was founded in 1988 as a nonprofit (501.c.3) organization by Tom Warth, whose dream was to ship donated books to the children of Africa. Tom’s visit to a Ugandan library, where books were almost nonexistent, inspired him to create a system for collecting discarded books from American schools, libraries, and publishers to send to Africa. Here’s how Tom tells the story: “I’d met a Loy Zabasajja when she was visiting her children in the U.S.,” says Tom, a British immigrant whose accent has faded after a lifetime in the Midwest. “I asked if I could come to visit her, and she agreed, though I’m not sure she believed I’d really show up. I like adventure, and the best places to find it are remote spots with no tourists, but where you know someone.” Jinja, the woman’s hometown, fit that bill. Although it’s the second largest city in Uganda, it’s not on many itineraries.
Tom arrived at the airport in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, and headed for Jinja on the bus—as he describes it, “racing hell-bent for leather down the road while my driver took on another bus in a race.” Wandering around Jinja one day with his hostess, they came upon the local library. Stories diverge as to whether the visit was planned or accidental, but Tom took one look at the nearly empty shelves and the few scattered, tattered books that were all at least 25 years old, and decided to continue the adventure. Back home, he spoke with a group of publishers, booksellers, and librarians who make up the Minnesota Book Publishers’ Roundtable. A handful of people from this loose collection of book lovers met and formed what was to become Books For Africa.
The idea was so simple, yet the potential was profound. Reclaim good books destined for landfills and put them into the hands of African children.
35 years later, Books For Africa remains the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 57 million books to all 55 countries on the African continent since 1988. Last year alone, Books For Africa shipped 3.2 million books, valued at over $26.7 million, and 355 computers and e-readers containing over 1,065,000 digital books, to 27 African countries. More than $2.3 million was raised last year to ship these books to the students of Africa. In addition to English books, we also send French books and publish stories in local languages.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Shipping to every country in Africa comes with unique challenges. In particular, international shipping became very difficult in 2020 due to the shutdown and a subsequent major shipping backlog. BFA also had to find unique ways to support our beneficiaries when schools were closed. We increased our digital offerings during that time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Books For Africa collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa in collaboration with worldwide donors, publishers, and African partners.
At Books For Africa, we believe that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books are at the foundation of a strong educational system. For many children in Africa, the gift of books truly is a gift of hope.
We are proud to be able to divert millions of books from landfills and ensure they are used to the fullest extent possible. We are also proud of the high quality of our books. Although they are used, we are often contacted by recipients who share that the books are in such great condition that they appear brand-new.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The shift to digital in the United States has decreased our access to hard-copy books.
However, for many of our recipients, physical books remain the most-requested item. Libraries remain integral to community building and the creation of safe spaces worldwide. Many of our recipients live in low-connectivity areas and cannot rely on internet access for educational purposes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.booksforafrica.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksForAfricaUS
