Sometimes the most meaningful changes begin with an unexpected conversation.
In 2018, while traveling with a tour group and participating in a cultural visit to a local school, Libraries For Kids International founder Roy Austin encountered a teacher named Anna Tayiai in Amboseli, Kenya. During the visit, someone asked a simple question: Do you have a library?
“No! But we would love to have one!”
That was Anna's response when asked if her school had a library.
At the time, neither Anna nor Roy could have known that those eight words would mark the beginning of a journey that would transform learning opportunities for students and teachers alike. What started as a chance encounter grew into a lasting partnership built on a shared belief that every child deserves access to books and the opportunities they create.
Today, Anna reflects on the impact that Libraries For Kids International has had on her school, her classroom, and the children she serves.
My journey with Libraries For Kids, Int’l began when I first met Roy in 2018 when he visited the school I was by that time. At the time, I could not have imagined how that meeting would eventually bring such a meaningful change to our school and to the lives of our students.
When we received our first books from Libraries For Kids, Int’l, it was a very special moment for us. For our school, having access to a variety of quality books opened up a whole new world for our learners. The books gave our students an opportunity to read, explore new ideas, discover different places and cultures, and develop a love for reading that goes beyond the classroom.
As a teacher, the books have also made a big difference in the way I teach. They have given me additional resources to make lessons more engaging and interactive. I can use stories and illustrations to help students understand different concepts, encourage them to ask questions, and create discussions that allow them to express themselves and share their ideas.
One of the most memorable impacts I have observed is seeing students who were initially hesitant to read become excited about picking up a book. I remember noticing one student who would often stay quiet during reading activities. After we received the new books, the student became increasingly interested in the stories and started choosing books independently. Over time, I noticed the student becoming more confident when reading aloud and more willing to participate in class discussions. Seeing that change reminded me that sometimes something as simple as putting the right book into a child's hands can make a lasting difference.
Libraries For Kids, Int’l has not only provided books; they have provided opportunities. The books have helped us create a richer learning environment, encouraged our students to become curious and confident learners, and supported us as teachers in making learning more enjoyable.
I am grateful to Roy and the entire Libraries For Kids, Int’l team for believing in our school and in the potential of our children. Every book that reaches our students is an opportunity for them to learn, imagine, dream, and see possibilities beyond what they already know.
Thank you for allowing me to share our story. It is an honor to be part of the Libraries For Kids, Int’l journey.
Warm regards,
Anna
Anna's story reminds us that the impact of a library cannot be measured simply by the number of books on its shelves. Its true value is found in the confidence it builds, the curiosity it sparks, and the dreams it helps bring to life.
What began with a simple answer, “No! But we would love to have one!” became a library filled with possibility. Today, students are discovering new worlds through reading, teachers have resources that enrich learning, and young people are developing skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
For our supporters, this is the difference you make. Every book you help send, every dollar you give and every school you help opens doors for children who are eager to learn and ready to dream bigger.
Stories like Anna's remind us that changing lives does not always begin with a grand plan. Sometimes it starts with listening. Sometimes it starts with a question. Sometimes it starts with eight simple words that change everything. And sometimes it starts with people exactly like you, the very heartbeat of this mission, consistently showing up and proving that a simple act of generosity can echo through a classroom, a community and a child's future for years ahead.
