Project information
Reading Matters 2011
In 2011 Books Abroad will be despatching a total of 35,453 kgs of free books (180,000 books) to schools, libraries, universities and other educational organisations throughout the developing world. These donated books would otherwise end up in landfill sites. Recycling knowledge to alleviate poverty
January 2011 - December 2011
Charity information: Books Abroad SCIO

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Need
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.
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Aims
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
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
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.
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Budget
Budget - Project Cost: £112,000
Loading graph....Amount Heading Description £50,619 Small Parcels Projects 190 recipients, 12,543 kgs = 62,715 books £61,381 Special Projects 23,000kgs = 115,000 books sent by container -
Background
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.
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Why Us?
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

Books sent to school in Kenya
£0.63
Cost of sending a book directly to a school
The books donated to our school are of great help .. the material and contents of the books are very rich in knowledge