News

In partnership with the MN Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, BFA was honored to host Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director General of the Alexandria Library in Egypt, for a presentation on the history and current role of this historic institution. Also on hand for the occasion was special guest His Excellency Mohamed Tawfik, Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Serageldin received a standing ovation for his engaging, informative, and visually stunning presentation, capping a wonderful night of learning and fellowship.

A recent World Bank report (May 2015) emphasizes the urgent need to get textbooks into the hands of every student in sub-Saharan Africa. This report is part of a growing body of evidence reinforcing the efficiency and efficacy of putting the right books in the hands of African learners. The report states that "No other input is likely to be more cost effective than making high-quality learning materials available to all students…" Other studies have reached similar conclusions to the 2015 World Bank report.

Cass and Andy Stillman hosted Books For Africa’s 2015 Kilimanjaro Society Reception at their beautiful residence in Woodland, MN. We were fortunate to be joined this year by special guests, a delegation of twenty-five Young African Leaders participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute. The YALI delegates also spent time volunteering at our St. Paul, MN warehouse in conjunction with Nelson Mandela International Day, named for the late South African leader and dedicated to service in his honor.

Books For Africa is proud to announce that 2.4 million educational, library and law books valued at over $33 million have been delivered to 21 African countries in the fiscal year ended June 30. In addition, BFA has shipped 223 computers and 11 new law and human rights law libraries. More than $2.3 million was raised last year to ship the books to the students of Africa.

During a recent visit to the BFA Warehouse, His Excellency Ambassador Robinson Njeru Githae announced a donated container of books in memory of the late Mr. Ishmael Nyangau Gitaa, who was father to Mshale founder and Books For Africa past Board President, Tom Gitaa.