Philanthropy beat: Hiking in Gambia to halt 'book famine'

Tom Warth has been drumming up support for his Books For Africa nonprofit for 20 years. Today, he's slated to embark on one of his more creative fundraising endeavors: He's walking across Gambia.

Lest this appear to be a super-human feat, 'tis not the case. The length of Gambia, on the north-south road he will travel, is about 30 miles. But if all goes as planned, it will be a memorable journey.

Warth, interviewed by phone from Gambia, said he expects to be joined by medical volunteers from the Gambian nonprofit Hand in Health, students, international diplomats and other supporters along the way.

A tractor carrying thousands of books will follow behind the group, distributing them to the schools and schoolchildren.