Reading Matters 2011

Need

A lack of education is a direct cause and effect of poverty. At Books Abroad we receive daily requests for books from educational organisations throughout the world. During 2011 we plan to despatch books as requested to schools in Africa, Asia, West Indies, South Pacific Islands and Russia.

Solution

By sending these books free of charge directly to the schools, libraries and universities throughout the world. We will be helping teachers and pupils who have a strong desire to learn but poverty means only a bare minimum or no such reading material and educational resources are presently available.

Aim 1

To despatch 12,453 kgs (62,000 books) as Small Parcels to schools.

Activities

» Parcels weighing 8.5kgs each will be carefully selected by our volunteers and sent to190 individual schools in Africa, Asia, West Indies and S Pacific

Success will be measured by feedback received from the schools, teachers and pupils. Long term increase in school role & exam results can be monitored before further books are sent

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Aim 2

23,000kgs (118,000 books) to be sent as containerised Special Projects

Activities

» Books will be carefully sorted & selected for palletised despatch via container to the schools, libraries & universities according to direct requests.

Success will be delivery of the books directly to the recipients and their feedback to Books Abroad assuring that the books sent were of great value to them.

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Impact

By promoting literacy, education and understanding these gifts of books will provide a sustainable escape route from the plight of poverty. The books we no longer require here and which are destined for landfill sites will go on to a valuable second life. Success will be that more children have access to books and an education.

Risk

The main threats to maintaing output of 35 to 40 tonnes per annum are reduced incoming funds along with the ever increasing costs of delivering port to door in the receiving countries. We are making strenous efforts to ensure reliable in-country partnerships as built up to help with the onward transport of the books.

Reporting

Funders will receive an annual report on Books Abroad's activities, although more frequent contact could be provided on the projects.

Location

Developing countries worldwide.

Beneficiaries

190 schools will receive small parcels of books free of charge in 21 countries. A primary school would typically receive 6 boxes x 8.5kg package (approx 5 books per kg), a secondary school 8 boxes x 8.5kg, and tertiary level 12 boxes. Through Special Projects we will supply a further 115,000 books via containers.

Why Us?

We have 29 years of experience in sending books to developing countries and to date have sent approximately 2,418,500 good quality second-hand books. We are demand driven and receive requests for books daily and at present we have 618 organisations on our database in all corners of the world and we aim to help each one on a 2 to 3 year cycle.

Read more about the Charity running this project.

People

Volunteers

Our wonderful Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation sorting, selecting and packing the books.

Office Staff

Running the office, logistics, sourcing books and their onward despatch to the final destination for minimum costs as well as the fundraising.

Trustees

Governance of the charity