Community Libraries, Schools & Orphanages
Addresses & Details of 3rd World Places that need Books
This is my very favorite pet project - sending books to community libraries, schools & orphanages in developing countries. There is nothing quite like the feeling of putting together a package of books that you've carefully chosen and then seeing it leave your hands at the post office ~ knowing that in a couple of months it will be opened by people who will truly treasure the books. And think of the difference these books will make in people's lives.
You may be visiting this page because you've requested a book trade from me, and I've offered that instead of you mailing a book to me, you choose one of the places listed below to send a book to. Or vice versa - I may have come across a book on your wish list and made you the same offer.
If you've looked over all of the places listed below - but just can't make up your mind which one to send a book to - please contact me - I'll let you know which hasn't had a packet of books in awhile. Thank you! :)
*A wee tip - if you find some of the addresses very long to write out by hand - do what I do! Copy them from here - paste them into a Word document. Then print it & cut it out - a bit of packing tape over top makes a water proof, very legible address!
Wondering What type of book to send? The short answer is - ANY book! Do you have text books gathering dust on your bookshelves? What about those Reader's Digest Condensed books? Do-It-Yourself Manuals? Medical or nursing texts? Books the kids have outgrown? If you read through the descriptions of the places listed below, I think you'll find that each of your books could find a new home where it will be treated like gold.
BLOSSOM DAYSPRING HOME
Mrs. T. Mercy Annapoorni, Director
No. 77 Sekkilar Street,
Virudhunagar 626 001,
Tamil Nadu, South India
This orphanage needs children's books that would be suitable for children aged from very young up to older teenagers. As well as educational books & materials, they would like books & audio tapes to learn English. There are 46 children living at the orphanage now (August 2006), many have become orphans because of the AIDS virus and are then shunned. They get no government support - so anything we send is hugely appreciated.
* The children have made a special request for colouring books, pencil crayons and any art supplies. Several generous BookCrossers have responded to this request - and thanks to a donor in Sweden who gave the orphanage a digital camera - here is a picture of the children with their new colouring books. Are these not radiant faces?!
BORNEO CHILD AID PROJECT
Attn: Mr. Torben Venning
P.O. Box 61850,
91127 Lahad Datu, Sabah,
Malaysia
http://www.borneochildaid.org/
This project is working to put small schools right on the rural plantations for the children of the workers who are mostly Filipino or Indonesian. At the moment there are 49 of these small schools in very remote areas.
Books can be sent to the main address and will be fanned out to the various schools by Mr. Venning.
If you check the website link there are some wonderful photos and updates on the project.
*This one is close to my heart because I spent 4 years living in Malaysia in the mid 1990s ~ K.
Dudzai Primary School
Mr. T. Kereke
3969, Unit D
Seke
Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
Children's books for primary school aged. I try to include books on science and nature for this school. I've been sending some of the Magic School Bus series.
June 14th, 2006 - just received my first letter from Mr. Kereke - saying that they'd received the 1st package of books & were very pleased. I had asked Mr. Kereke for suggestions of books that he needs for the students - and here is his reply:
- The Animal Farm by George Orwell
- The Petals of Blood by Ngugi wa Thiango
- The River Between by Chinua Achebe
- Reader' Digest Condensed Books
- Magazines
- Dictionaries & Atlases
- Harry Potter series
- The Hardy Boys
- Nancy Drew series
- Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Enid Blyton stories
- The Scriptures of Jesus
- Poultry - (eggs & meat production)
- Pork production
- Education materials - pens/penclis, flash cards.
- Books for older children to provide good reading practise for preparing to sit for national examinations.
Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (Bikita District)
Attn: Mr. Dennis Mahanya
Box 293
Nyika
Bikita District, Zimbabwe
This is a one room community library. I've exchanged emails with Mr. Mahanya and he said that they need books for adults, teens and children.
*March 25, 2006 - A note just arrived from Dennis saying that my first package of books has been received. The kids are loving them and borrowing them like crazy. He mentioned that there is a real need for High School & University level books in the community.
*October 2006 - Received an email from Jody, the previous Librarian at this library. She has recently spoken with Dennis - internet service out of Zimbabwe has not been working the last while. He asked Jody to email to let us know that the books have been arriving and are very much appreciated!
*January 2007 - Dennis emailed that he has not had internet access for a long time - but he wants all the BookCrossers to know that your parcels have been arriving and are being well used. He asked that I pass on his heartfelt appreciation for the important work you are all doing. The books are very useful and the library use is growing "every hour of the day as new members come to join and make good use of these precious life savers". He also said books on Early Childhood Development and Upper Secondary Education are needed.
Sumbrungu and Sherigu Community Libraries
c/o CESRUD
Box 267
Bolgatanga, Upper East Ghana
Join me in sending SERIAL MYSTERIES (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden & Bobbsey Twins) to these two libraries. See the link on the left for the list of which books we have already sent, and which ones are still missing. We need 2 copies of each book, so that each library will have their own complete set. Hardcovers will last much longer, but paperbacks are ok too!
Here is a link to the Friends of African Village Libraries website. It's well worth having a good look through the site! http://www.favl.org/index.htm
If you want to see pictures of the actual libraries and library patrons in the village libraries they have many tucked into their website. One of the links for pics is at:
http://favl.org/Webpage%20for%20FAVL%20spring%202005/index.html
*October 2006 - received a letter from Lucas, the librarian at Sumbrungu - he would like to thank all the BookCrossers who have been sending the children's mystery stories. The library users are "making good use of them." He also mentions that "As a librarian, I would say that the patrons are very excited to share the love of reading with you." He invites us to come to Ghana to help promote their storytelling hour and other library activities. So I will leave that as an open invitation for any BookCrossers who may be able to make that trip - though if you are thinking about it - please do get in touch with the Friends of African Village Libraries for some tips on what to expect!
July 2007 - just found a video on YouTube from the Sumbrungu library! My slow dial up doesn't allow me to watch all of it.
Bibliotheques FAVL
PB 51
Houndé, Province du Tuy
Burkina Faso
French books are needed for this community library.
Burkina Faso is a very small African country - not to far from Ghana. None of the clerks at my post office had ever heard of it, but when they punched it into their computers it came right up.
bravenet.com