News

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) just recently returned from a trip to Somalia to meet with the newly elected Somali president, Hassan Sheik Mohamoud. While visiting, President Mohamoud requested that Representative Ellison help Mogadishu re-establish the Mogadishu Public Library.

Thanks to a new partnership with National Geographic, Books For Africa will help brighten classrooms across Africa. BFA recipients can now order a library of six new, laminated National Geographic Africa, World, and Universe maps to accompany their shipment of 22,000 books.

Books For Africa thanks the General Mills Community for the donation of 3,687 books! The General Mills Black Champions Network hosted a month long book drive and awareness campaign on their Twin Cities campus in celebration of Black History Month. They concluded their book drive and Black History Month activities on Friday, March 1, with a closing ceremony featuring Helene Gayle, President & CEO of CARE, as keynote speaker.

Inno Anoliefo, a representative of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation of Nigeria, came to our Atlanta warehouse to see where the books come from, how they are sorted, and to get to know the Books For Africa Shipment process. Books For Africa is pleased to work with the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. Together, nearly 640,000 books—worth more than $6.5 million—have been shipped to students in Nigeria and The Gambia. BFA and the Foundation plan to ship even more throughout West Africa over the coming years.

"At first, I thought the students were mocking me with their enthusiasm to learn," said Sal Tavolilla, a Peace Corps Volunteer based in Njinikom, a small village in Cameroon. "But I soon learned that their interests were absolutely sincere. They understand the sacrifices their families make in order that they may go to school and they know it is a privilege to attend school."

Give more than candy hearts this Valentine’s Day by celebrating International Book Giving Day! There are many ways that you can share books with those you love, and people all around the world. Be creative! Find a fun way to share books that you love.