Reading opens a world of opportunity and empowers you for the future: it helps you finish school, get a better job and take part in community life. For poor families in Africa, public libraries are the only places where children have the opportunity to read. But what happens when your library does not have books? That's the challenge children in Africa face every day. Your gift will put new books onto the shelves of public libraries in three countries in Africa, and help change children's lives.
In many countries in Africa, the economy is growing; investments in education and healthcare are helping people improve their lives. But needs are great and governments are still unable to provide all the services that communities depend on. Public libraries are struggling. The children's shelves are bare or have just a few tattered books, worn out through overuse. When the children run to the public library after school, librarians are powerless to help them, and the children are disappointed.
With your support children in three countries - Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda - will receive new books through their local libraries. Librarians will be able to buy books by popular African authors who write stories that embrace the children's real-life experience and culture. They will be able to help the children to read and understand the books, building their reading confidence and giving them a life-long love of reading.
With better reading skills and a love of books, children will be more likely to stay in school, to study further, to get good jobs and earn more money. The gift of reading will make it possible for them to imagine a better future. Today's children are tomorrow's adults - the people who will shape their world, take part community life and build strong nations.
