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 December issue of the Libraries For Kids, Int'l monthly e-newsletter. Thanks for your interest and support. Kuwa salama na vzuri (Swahili for "be safe and well") Roy Austin, Founder/Chair
EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE
Roy interviewed by WJCL TV
Roy & Rick Harris holding up our banner
On The Water
The first container is on the water and scheduled to arrive in Kenya on February 20, 2021. It shipped out of the port of Savannah where we had a little celebration.
Click HERE for WJCL TV coverage.
The second container is being packed and hopefully will ship in early January. NEXT CHALLENGE - Distributing Books to Schools
Our team in Kenya is excited and prepared to distribute the books to approximately 120 schools.
Due to the terrain and road conditions, books will be delivered by motorcycle with 3 boxes of books stacked on the back.
We estimate it will cost $5,000 to distribute all the books in one container to 120 schools. This means renting motorcycles and hiring drivers. Drivers will be parents of students in that school to insure the books will be delivered.
HELP: Please donate so we can get the books to the schools once they arrive in Kenya.
We've come so far and cleared so many hurdles. Please help us clear this next hurdle and get the books delivered to the schools.
"We give, not because we have. We have because we give."
Joyce Nanetia, Head Teacher, Amboseli Primary School, Kenya
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Marothiley Primary School
Marothiley had nothing. No textbooks, no school supplies, and a meager schoolhouse. But that didn't stop Headteacher Nicholas Mboi. He created teaching tools by painting pictures on pieces of cloth. Click HERE to read an article about Marothiley and see more pictures. Libraries For Kids, Int'l bought textbooks and supplies for Marothiley.
Nicholas thanks Libraries For Kids HERE
Marothiley student thanks Libraries For Kids HERE
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.
What does your donation accomplish?
Libraries For Kids, Int'l offers not a hand out, but a hand up. Parents in rural Kenya pay tuition for their children to go to school. It is huge a sacrifice when your income is derived from a subsistence farm or your herd of sheep, goats, or cattle. But it is a testament to their hunger for knowledge.
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 (teacher salaries, textbooks, supplies, etc.) As a result, textbooks and libraries are lacking.
How can people lift themselves up and solve their problems without knowledge?
Your donations are helping children in Kenya, and hopefully beyond someday, to help themselves.
I hope you will consider Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
Media Attention
- WJHL TV
- WSAV TV
- WHHI TV
- Savannah CEO News
- Sun City Hilton Head TV
Please share these stories with your friends and on your social media platforms. Thanks
For more news about Libraries For Kids, Int'l visit our website
NEWS - Community Based Organization
Libraries For Kids, Int'l is now a registered Community Based Organization in Kenya. We have applied to be a registered charity in Kenya. These steps will enable us to expand operations in Kenya and operate more efficiently.
KENYA TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
Hallo, let me again take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers for library for kids, the books we received and the ones we bought have proved to be very helpful to our learners, this will greatly improve our learners performances, God bless all our doners for that generosity Annette Chari, Headteacher Mbagha Primary School
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.
There are a lot of new names on the honor roll this month and several people who have moved up to the next level.
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 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 Ty & Suzanne Giesemann
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 The Stations call-in # 843-800-1492; Office # 843- 505-8513 https://www.talkoneradio.com/
