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 September issue of the Libraries For Kids, Int'l monthly e-newsletter. Thanks for your interest and support.
Kuwa salama (Swahili for "be safe") Roy Austin, Founder/Chair
1200 School Libraries
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Wow, thanks to your generous donations and support we will be shipping 8 containers of books (176,000 books) to Kenya which will create libraries in 1,200 rural schools with no internet. We will be shipping the containers over the next 9 months.
But wait, there's more
5700 More Schools
There are over 5700 more rural schools in Kenya so we still have a lot of work to do and your support and help will be critical to this effort.
Please, spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends and contacts or posting excerpts (copy/paste) on your social media accounts.
Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children.
LARGEST CONTRIBUTION EVER
When I was a boy, my favorite Christmas story was "Why The Chimes Rang." In a mythical country there was a incredibly tall steeple on the church and at the top were some chimes. Every Christmas eve all the people came to worship and give their offering. Only the right offering would make the chimes ring and they had not rung in 300 years. The very rich brought huge offerings of of money, gold and silver, gemstones, etc. The king even put his crown in the offering. But still the chimes did not ring. As they all left the service disappointed and wondering what could possibly make the chimes ring if the king's crown wasn't enough, a small boy crept up to the altar and placed his 2 coins on the altar. It was all he had. He gave all he had. And the chimes began to ring. I get tears in my eyes every time I hear the story. Libraries For Kids, Int'l received such a gift. It wasn't the largest donation in terms of money but relative to either income or net worth it is probably the largest we've received. It was $20.00 and came from the Head Teacher at Amboseli Primary School in Kenya where the idea for Libraries For Kids was born. She emailed me saying: "Hallo Roy I have been reading your emails and I also felt inspired. I also want to donate the little I can afford because am the only bread winner in my family currently. I hope it will be appreciated because I am happily with a good heart to also support the the needy learners."
God bless you Joyce Nanetia. You made the chimes ring and brought tears to my eyes.
What does your donation accomplish?
I have always preferred charities that help people help themselves. Not a hand out, but a hand up. Parents in rural Kenya pay tuition for their children to go to school. It is a sacrifice when your income is derived from a small farm or your herd of sheep, goats, or cattle. The Kenyan government gives each rural school $5.50 per student per year. For a student population of 100 that is $550.00 per year to pay for the schools expenses. As a result, textbooks and libraries are lacking.
There are so many amazing charities doing important work. So many needs. How can people help themselves and solve their problems without knowledge?
Your donations are helping people in Kenya, and hopefully beyond someday, to help themselves.
I hope you will consider Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
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 24 states, The Northern Mariana Islands in the South Pacific, and Australia. People have found us on Reddit, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and The Good News Network. Please share the WJHL story with your friends and on your social media platforms. Thanks
NEWS - Golden Oyster Award
Annually the Bluffton, SC Chamber of Commerce awards the top small businesses the coveted Golden Oyster. If you aren't familiar with Bluffton, it is famous for the area's oysters. This year Libraries For Kids, Int'l was selected by the awards committee of the Bluffton Chamber as the top non profit in the area.
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Each month we feature one of the schools we are working with. This month, Headteacher Franklin Mutie tells us about Kalimeza.
Kalimenza Primary School was started in 1988 and has progressed up to the moment. It is seated on a three acre land. It is 6 km from Kitui town. It has a population of 150 learners. The school has been performing well despite lack of learning materials needed to be used by learners. The ages of learners are as follows:- 3 to 8 years - 47 learners 9 to 11 years - 51 learners 12 to 15 years - 52 learners Some of the biggest challenges in the school are: (a) Lack of enough learning materials (b) Poor infrastructure in the school (c) Poor feeding habits
Libraries For Kids, Int'l has shipped 90 books and sent $500 for the school to purchase textbooks.
KENYA TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
"I take this opportunity to thank libraries4kids for great help if donations we received of more so during this time of covid 19 pardemic. its only God who can rewards and pay the donors. we are so happy and grateful for your support." Alex Munyoki Headteacher Katisaa primary school
CONTAINER PROJECT
Yeah, 8 containers. We are beyond excited.
As the containers ship, we will keep you updated on the receipt and distribution of books when they arrive in Kenya.
SAFARI TRIP TO AFRICA
I am organizing a trip to Kenya and Tanzania in July, 2021. 4 people have paid their deposit ($350) so there are only 6 seats left. The main trip will be from July 16 to Aug 4 and safari drives into the bush to see the animals and cultural visits to homes, schools, villages, etc. If you are interested I email me at books@libraries4kids.org for the itinerary. There is an optional pre-trip to Rwanda (gorillas) starting on July 12 and a post trip to Uganda for an additional cost. If you pay in full by October 17 you will receive a 10% discount. The trip is with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). The 6 seats available are double rooms so either couples or singles bunking together.
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 6 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
Dr. David Stallings
David has served on the Board of Directors for Libraries For Kids Int'l since its inception. David grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina. He attended Western Carolina University graduating with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science. He then received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University, also in NC. In 2013, he started his company, Cornerstone Physical Therapy and Wellness in Bluffton, SC. David and his wife Chelsea, a pediatric nurse practitioner, have traveled to Africa several times and are involved in school building ministries there. David has seen firsthand the need for books and education for children in rural Africa. David and Chelsea have one daughter, Charlotte, who was just born in April 2020, so much of their time recently is spent trying to get more sleep!
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
Our Donor Honor Roll is based on 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.
PS - April, May, and June were a bit of a blur for me after Sharron died March 29. I've found that I failed to record some people's donations. If I omitted you or have you in the wrong donor level, please let me know at books@libraries4kids.org
Click Here to see the full 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.
As of September 30, 2020 there are 105 Meerkats. Click here to see them all
Zebra (punda milia) - $100 or more
As of September 30, 2020 there are 47 Zebras. Click here to see them all
Impala (pala) - $500 or more
Delores Ackerman Kirk Fox Ty Gieseman Jim & Karen Ralston
Giraffe (twiga) - $1,000 or more
Den & Jan Austin Charleston CFO Council Mickaylla McDonald Marilyn Moore JR & Betty Rutherford Janice Allinder-Anestes
ORYX (choroa)- $2,500 or more
Rhinoceros (kifaru): $5,000
Sable Antelope (Mfano mzuri): $7,500 or more
Cheetah (Duma): $10,000
Rick & Becky Harris
Leopard (Chui) - $25,000 or more
Dr. David Stallings
Lion (Simba) - $50,000 or more
Roy & Sharron Austin
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/
