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 October 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
Last Month you met Joyce Nanetia, Head Teacher at Amboseli Primary School in rural Kenya. I was humbled and awed by her $20 donation. Relative to her income or net worth this was a big sacrifice for her. When she got her copy of this newsletter she emailed me and said:
"We give, not because we have. We have because we give."
5700 More Schools
We were so excited to announce last month that we had funding to ship 8 forty foot containers to Kenya which will establish libraries in 1,200 schools. That is a great start but 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. It will take about 36 more containers to supply them all.
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.
STARFISH STORY
A man was walking down the beach the morning after a hurricane. Thousands of starfish had been washed up and were stranded on the beach. As he walked he would pick up a starfish and toss it back in the ocean. Another man saw him from a distance and couldn't understand why he was tossing these starfish back in the ocean. When the two finally met he asked "Why are you wasting your time tossing these starfish back in the ocean. There are thousands of them. You can't possibly make a difference." The man bent over, picked up another starfish and tossed it in the ocean and commented "Made a difference to that one."
You too can make a difference. That book your donation makes possible might be just the spark to light a child's imagination and change that child's future and the future of his family and community.
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 school with 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 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 non profit of the year.
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Each month we feature one of the schools we are working with. This month, Headteacher Festus Mutyaucyu tells us about KwaMboo.
KwaMboo Primary School provides (a) Preprimary 1 and Preprimary 2 range between age 4-5 years. Standard 1- Standard 8 range between 6--15 years (b) grades: from Preprimary1--Standard 8 (c) general information about the school: the school needs books for pupils. It is an underperforming school due to lack necessary learning resources.
Libraries For Kids, Int'l has shipped 90 books and sent $500 to KwaMboo for the school to purchase textbooks.
KENYA TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
"Here in Mbagha primary school we are very greatful for the books, our learners enjoy reading them hence cultivating the reading culture. We are hoping for more books. Thanks"
Annette Chari Headteacher Mbagha 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. We are expecting the first one to ship in November.
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 4 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
Steve Richards
Before moving to the SC Low Country, Steve was the General Manager of Operations at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport, NY. His extensive background includes positions as General Manager of Operations, Glenora Wine Cellars in Dundee, NY; Senior Business Consultant at Farm Credit Bank, Phelps, NY; Senior Extension Faculty, Cornell University; Production Manager, Bob Evans, Columbus, OH; and Quality Control Supervisor, Con Agra, Grayson, KY.
Steve managed two non-profit organizations at Cornell University.
- Business Transitions: assisted family businesses with partnerships, business succession, and estate planning as part of an advisory team that included accountants, financial advisors, and attorneys.
- Business Profitability: helped family businesses turn their operations around through business analysis, industry benchmarking, and best management practices
Steve also worked as a consultant for a bank and has helped many borrowers write business plans, survive economic downturns, and exit their businesses.
Steve speaks on a variety of business topics and his presentations include many real-life examples of how to use the business transition and business profitability tools.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Economics at The Ohio State University where he was also employed as an Economics Research Assistant. Additionally, Steve has a Master of Business Administration from The McGregor School of Antioch University. Steve has received Dale Carnegie awards for Leadership, Human Relations, and Public Speaking and is a BREI certified Business Retention and Expansion Master Consultant; a Certified Tax Preparer; and a licensed Life, Health, Accident, and Annuity Producer.
His more than 25 years’ experience working for and consulting with family businesses began in quality assurance and production management positions in the Midwest. Later, he moved to Upstate New York to work for Cornell University, authoring 16 publications and consulting with hundreds of family businesses on topics such as profitability improvement, business expansion, business financing, and succession planning. In subsequent positions, Steve advised and worked with entrepreneurs in New York’s growing Finger Lakes wine region.
Steve currently works for Clemson University providing consulting services for companies all over South Carolina.
Steve enjoys the great outdoors with activities such as hiking and kayaking. He loves reading for work (business management and economics) and pleasure (fiction mostly, but some history too). To relax, he likes gardening, cooking, and winemaking.
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 107 Meerkats. Click here to see them all. Some of you are close to the Zebra level so please consider an additional donation.
Zebra (punda milia) - $100 or more
As of September 30, 2020 there are 48 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/
