Photos have been removed from this issue because of a law in Kenya requiring strict documentation for photos and videos featuring school children.
Changing The World One Mind at a Time
Greetings! Here is the August issue of our Libraries For Kids, Int'l monthly e-newsletter. Thanks for your interest and support.
Kuwa salama (Swahili for "be safe") Roy Austin, Founder/Chair
World Wide Attention
Thanks to the WJHL TV story last week, Libraries For Kids, Int'l is getting world wide attention. So far we've heard from people in 16 states, The Northern Mariana Islands in the South Pacific, and Australia. People have found us on Reddit, Facebook, LinkedIn, and The Good News Network. Please share the WJHL story with your friends and on your social media platforms. Thanks
NEWS - Operations Coordinator
Libraries For Kids has hired Francis Wanjiku as Operations Coordinator in Kenya. "Ciku" has been doing extensive volunteer work for us. When asked why she was so dedicated to this project she said "When I was in school there were 30-40 kids in a class and we all had to share one textbook. I will do anything I can to help improve education in Kenya." Ciku connects us with schools, resolves shipping issues, created and maintains our website, and will be coordinating distribution of books when our container arrives. She has a degree in software engineering from Kenyatta University. Ciku also serves as a part-time volunteer translator for refugees (English to Swahili and vice versa). As a hobby, she designs wall hangings, shaggy mats, and decorative wine bottles (currently selling on Jumia online platform as Jayprise. We feel very blessed to have Wanjiku on our team.
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Each month we will feature one o f the schools we are working with. What better to place to start than Amboseli Primary School where the idea for Libraries For Kids, Int'l was born. Someone in my tour group, Fred Howler I think, asked the teacher if they had a library. Her eyes lit up and she said "No, but we'd love to have a library."
The school is located next to Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The park is famous for it's elephants. The school serves a Maasai tribe that has changed their traditional way of life so their children can get an education.
Below students showing off their new textbooks
Books in their new Library
KENYA TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
"The Libraries for Kids project has really helped our learners. When we received books starting from the first that we bought with the money you send, the book ratio went up and it made learning easier.
When again you sent the other storybooks and the encyclopedias we created a. Small school library which serves as a resource place and has started to arouse the reading interest to the learners especially those who like history and the English language. We really appreciate your effort to support the school."
Best regards. Joyce Nanetia Headteacher, Amboseli Primary School
CONTAINER PROJECT
Plans to ship a 40 foot container loaded with 22,000 books is progressing nicely. Our Operations Coordinator in Kenya, Francis Wanjiku, has identified 6,717 schools that have zero or very limited internet access. She will work with the 100-150 schools most in need of a library. Our ultimate goal is 45 containers.
SAFARI TRIP TO AFRICA
I am organizing a trip to Kenya and Tanzania in July, 2021 for 13 people. Already, 5 people have committed. If you have never seen the animals in the wild you are missing one of the grandest adventures you will ever have. I have yet to meet a person who went on a safari that wasn't captivated. There are only 8 seats left so if you are interested please email me at books@libraries4kids.org or call me at 843-597-4826 for information.
MEET OUR BOARD
Tamela Maxim
Libraries For Kids is important to me because I love books and I love learning and I cannot rest easy knowing that there are children who want books and don’t have them.
Tamela was born in Savannah, Georgia and as a military brat she has lived in GA, NC, HI, VA and eleven years in Germany. She has an Associate in Arts from the University of Maryland (Munich Campus), Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia Southern University (minors in Art and German) and one year of study at the University of Stuttgart in Germany studying drama, literature and history. Tamela and her husband, Nicholas Maxim in Bluffton, SC. She has been a professional freelance writer and editor since 1979.
SPEAKING
We love telling the Libraries For Kids, Int'l story. If your organization needs a speaker please contact us at books@libraries4kids.org or phone us at 843-597-4826. Whether in person or via Zoom, we look forward to sharing our story.
Donor Honor Roll
A few days ago we announced our Donor Honor Roll based on your cumulative contributions. No matter what level you are on, you are important. But your continuing support is also vital. We hope you will continue to contribute and gradually move to a higher level on the honor roll. A little each month and you will soon be at the next level.
We are excited to report the following new Meerkats who are making the dreams of rural students in Kenya come true:
- Linda Nickles
- Gary Shepard
- Annet Cziener
- Darice Arnsback
- Sandy Moldovon
- Yvette Durell
- Gods Goods
- Kathy McDonagh
- Joan Bennett
- Virginia Hecox
- Bluffton Middle School
- Toby Rane
- Dawn Wegard
- Jerry Roatch
- Jennifer McKinley
- SM Dufur
- Angela Leshier
- Annonymous
Fuull donor Honor Roll
Here are the different honor roll levels and who is on each level. The Swahili word is in parenthesis.
Meerkat (Meerkat) - Donated books and/or money.
- Connie Dirty
- Marty Elikan
- Jim & Charlotte Fleisher
- Dan Hill
- Lynette McDaniel
- Sam Hubbard
- Linda Roberson
- Pat Kapelski
- Lillie Salley
- Jenny Owens
- Jane Stuart
- Shawn & Laura Reid
- Ed Warner
- Neil & Kathy Shannon
- Jenny Williams
- Pat Strimpfel
- Bronwyn Brown
- Tom Zombik
- David Miller
- Marsha Myers
- Damian Stolarczyk
- James Worix
- June Blake
- Sarah Jenkins
- Don Padilla
- Chiru
- Ginny Ballard
- Fantasy
- Lisa Henry
- Debby Austin
- Brian Judson
- Michael Austin
- R Keerigan
- Hilda Blazevich
- Kathryn LauSprowl
- Mike Brosnan
- Paul Hamilton
- Anne Clemmitt
- Mark McDon
- Carol Coppola ald McDonald
- Donna Fiebert
- Bill Horne
- Dottie Gottenker
- Matt Powers
- Roberta Harris
- Batwell
- Eleanor Hutton
- Chris Billos
- Janet Palmer
- Zeyne
- John Paul
- Edelza Freire
- Delores Phipps
- Alex Bowden
- Dana Skiljan
- K Hatchel
- Janice Trainor
- Rhett Prentice
- Joe & Helga Zebro
- Michelle Thiele
- Patty Dronfield
- Renee
- Paul Kaefer
- John & Diane Craig
- Geri Gengenbach
- Linda Nickles
- Gary Shepard
- Annet Cziener
- Darice Arnsback
- Sandy Moldovon
- Yvette Durell
- Gods Goods
- Kathy McDonagh
- Joan Bennett
- Virginia Hecox
- Bluffton Middle School
- Toby Rane
- Dawn Wegard
- Jerry Roatch
- Jennifer McKinley
- SM Dufur
- Angela Leshier
- Annonymous
Zebra (punda milia) - $100 or more
- Elwood Barnes
- Earl White
- Akita Nau
- Sarah Coleman Wilson
- Donna Sparangna
- Timothy & Karen Wyld
- Dwayne Atkinson
- Elizabeth Abell
- Dennis Austin
- Savannah Jewish Federation
- Evan Bromley
- Rob Hager
- Tim Cairney
- Cheryl Lansing
- Walt Coleman
- Paul & Linda Wulff
- Terry Hatchell
- Evert & John Tumblin
- Jim & Karen Ralston
- Rick Jacobs
- Evelyn.G. Reddish
- Eddie Federwisch
- Mendel & Nancy Spears
- Gary Shepard
- Bob Weiderhorn
- Connie Silvester
Impala (pala) - $500 or more
Delores Ackerman Kirk Fox Ty Giesemann
Giraffe (twiga) - $1,000 or more
Jan Austin Mickaylla McDonald Marilyn Moore JR & Betty Rutherford Janice Allinder-Anestis Robert Bendetti - Charleston CFO Council Rick Harris
ORYX (choroa)- $2,500 or more
Rhinoceros (kifaru): $5,000
Sable Antelope (Mfano mzuri): $7,500 or more
Cheetah (Duma): $10,000
Dr. David Stallings Roy & Sharron Austin
Leopard (Chui) - $25,000 or more
Lion (Simba) - $50,000 or more
Elephant (Tembo) - $100,000 or more
Maasai Club - $250,000 or more
The Maasai are among the foremost African ethnic groups and are known internationally because of their links to the national parks and reserves. They respect the land and are adapting to the changing world around them.
Sharron Austin Society - $500,000 or more
Sharron was an inspiration to Libraries For Kids, Int’l Founder Roy Austin. Her life philosophy was “Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. How you cope with it is what makes the difference.” Her smile, positive attitude, and ability to overcome numerous challenges in her life are an inspiration to all. She died on March 29, 2020. She is sorely missed but her spirit lives on. She was an enthusiastic supporter and donor to Libraries For Kids, Int’l.
DONATE TODAY
MEET OUR PARTNERS
We are blessed to have several partners who have donated their time and services.
James Worix, owner of Worix Media is helping us with IT and media editing services.
Paul Uhls BNC Graphics 19 Seventh Ave, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 https://bncgraphics.com/ Supplied business cards and rack cards
Dan Russin Store Manager
Morningstar Storage 1110 Fording Island Rd Bluffton, SC 29910 Donated a 10ft x 10ft space for us to store books.
Allison Debs Lewis Territory Account Manager Staples Advantage www.staplesadvantage.com Staples has donated shipping boxes.
Alan Flowers and Roman Surroundings are helping us spread the word about Libraries For Kids, Int'l. 70 Pennington Dr. Studio 16D Bluffton, SC 29910 https://www.talkoneradio.com/
