Photos have been removed from this issue because of a law in Kenya requiring strict documentation for photos and videos featuring school children.
BREAKING NEWS: Libraries For Kids, Int'l has now put books in 8.576 rural schools in Kenya impacting the lives of 2.1 million children plus their teachers, families, and communities.
Libraries For Kids, Int'l has come a long way in the past 5 years. It has far exceeded my wildest imagination and initial vision. But, as we have put books in more and more schools, our vision has expanded. Initially, it was one school. Then we thought about 10 schools. Today it is thousands of schools and millions of children. There are approximately 20,000 rural schools in Kenya averaging about 250 students in each school so we have a lot more work to do in Kenya. But why stop with Kenya? We are getting requests from Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. So the vision is now:
ALL 55 COUNTRIES IN AFRICA
To accomplish this vision we need to evolve. We can't reach this vision as an all-volunteer organization. But if we hire a Chief Executive Officer, how do we keep our promise?
PROMISE: All donations will be used to get books to children UNLESS the donor gives permission to use their donation for administrative expenses.
We have found a donor who will fund the CEO position for 2 years so that we can keep our promise. The CEO must be excited about our vision, passionate about getting books to children in rural schools, have exceptional organizational and team-building skills, and who has been to Kenya and visited rural schools. Laura Winkel fulfills these requirements. She has worked tirelessly for the last several years as a volunteer. She is undoubtedly the most disciplined and goal-oriented person I've ever met. I am very excited to report that at our July 18, 2024 Board meeting the Board approved establishing the CEO position and hired Laura Winkel as of August 1, 2024
Laura Winkel is a dynamic professional in her mid-30s with a diverse background encompassing sports, law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Originally from New Jersey, Laura developed a passion for sports at a young age, excelling in hockey, basketball, football, and various other athletic endeavors. Her love for the outdoors, coupled with a curiosity for different cultures, has fueled her extensive travels and exploration of the world.
With nearly 12 years of dedicated service as a police officer, Laura demonstrated her commitment to public safety and community well-being. Despite a career-ending motor vehicle accident, Laura persevered and transitioned into the Bluffton, SC financial sector upon her recovery. Today, she owns a thriving online business focused on empowering others in online business development and local business scaling.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Laura is deeply involved in philanthropic endeavors. Since November 2021, she has served on the Board of Libraries for Kids Int’l, assuming the role of Vice President/President Elect in November 2022. Her dedication to the organization resulted in her recent promotion to the inaugural position of CEO at Libraries for Kids Int’l, where she will continue to make a positive impact on children's literacy and education initiatives.
Outside of her professional commitments, Laura finds joy in cooking, reading books, the beach, family, her two dogs, and engaging in a variety of activities that enrich her mind and soul. Her multifaceted background, unwavering dedication to community service, and entrepreneurial spirit make her a respected leader in both business and philanthropy.
SHARING TEXTBOOKS IN RURAL KENYA
When you were in school did you have your own textbook? In rural Kenya, 20 to 30 students have to share one textbook. Imagine sharing your math, English, science, Swahili, or social studies book with 30 other students. How would your education have been affected if you had to share your textbook and had no library resources or recreational reading? Why do they have to share textbooks? Because governmental support of rural schools is only $5.50 per student per year to cover textbooks, supplies, building maintenance, and support staff. Parents pay fees but not nearly enough to cover everything, so textbooks are kept for years and years and reused and shared. Many parents, who are subsistence farmers or pastoral herders, can't afford the fees so their children cannot go to school.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BE A VOLUNTEER
For more information contact Roy Austin at 843-597-4826, or Laura Winkel at (609) 402-6025, or email us at book@libraries4kids.org
How you can help?
BE A VOLUNTEER
Your experience and time can contribute to improving the lives of millions of children in rural schools with limited resources. Here are some ways you can help:
Promoting and helping with events. Local School Outreach Project. Be an Ambassador. Help find and write grants. Help us find speaking engagements to share our story.
Events o Sell tickets o Find sponsors o Distribute brochures to local businesses o Volunteer at events o Promote events
School Outreach We need help developing a lovsl school program to educate students what it is like to attend a rural school in Kenya.
Ambassador: Our ambassadors help raise awareness in a variety of ways about what Libraries for Kids, Int’l is doing. Time Commitment: As little or as much as you want. No meetings or time requirements. Simply forwarding this newsletter to friends and family can help.
Grants: Help find grant opportunities and write grant applications.
Spread The Word
You can also help us by Liking and Sharing our Facebook page, Instagram page, YouTube channel, website, and a video that tells our story HERE. Also, please share this newsletter with your friends.
Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of millions of children.
Mungu Akubariki (God Bless You)
WHHI TV
Click HERE to watch the an interview with Laura Winkel.
Go to the WHHI TV YouTube page and search for Libraries For Kids, Int'l. to see previous episodes.
WHHI TV graciously invites us to be on the air once a month with updates on what we are doing to serve children in rural areas with limited or no internet, electricity, or school libraries.
What Does it Cost to Ship Books?
It costs about $0.625 per book to get a book from the US to a school in Kenya. A$100 donation pays for 160 books.
Your Donation Counts!
These kids are hungry for knowledge. When we bring them books they dive into them.
Scroll down to see the Honor Roll of contributors whom we greatly appreciate.
Checks: If you prefer to donate with a check, please send it payable to Libraries for Kids, Int'l to PO Box 1013, Bluffton, SC 29910. We love checks - no credit card processing fees.
You can also donate on our website.
GO FUND ME
You can also donate on GoFundMe. Just scan this QR code or click on this link
WANT TO DONATE BOOKS?
We get all our books from the non-profit, Book Distribution Partners. Since 1988 they have shipped over 60 million books to all 55 countries in Africa. They ship to a specific address in a country but do not get involved in delivering books once they arrive. The teachers in Kenya tell us what type of books they want. Libraries For Kids, Int'l submits that list to Book Distribution Partners which loads the books in containers and arranges shipment to our warehouse in Kitui, Kenya. When they arrive, our team in Kenya, led by our Operations Coordinator, Wanjiku Francis, processes them in and gets the books delivered to schools.
If you want to donate books we recommend that you mail them using the US Post Office's inexpensive media rate to Book Distribution Partners's warehouse: 1491 Cobb Industrial Drive, Bldg. B, Marietta, GA 30066 USA, Phone: 404-603-8680.
Shirts, Hats & Coffee Mugs Available
Libraries For Kids shirts & hats are available on our website. The back of the t-shirts, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs displays our slogan: "What we do for ourselves alone dies with us. What we do for others is immortal."
By buying and wearing our shirts and hats you not only help us financially but you also help to raise awareness of what Libraries For Kids, Int'l is doing. Plus, you will look really sharp!
NEED A SPEAKER?
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. We look forward to sharing our story with your group.
SHORT TERM GOAL: 5 MILLION CHILDREN
Over 860,000 books have been shipped to Kenya and books have been delivered to 8,576 schools impacting the lives of approximately 2.1 million children plus their teachers, families, and communities.
There are about 20,000 rural primary and secondary schools in Kenya, with approximately 5 million students. We need to fund more containers.
Your support can help over 5 million children expand their educational opportunities and have the opportunity for a better life.
Our long-term vision is to help establish libraries in other countries in Africa.
Just a few dollars a month helps. You can set up a recurring monthly donation on our website.
Consider a legacy gift as part of your estate planning.
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others is immortal.
Consider a legacy gift as part of your estate planning. 100 years from now no one will remember who we were or what we did. The only true legacy any of us can leave is the positive impact on the lives of others. You can leave a lasting legacy in the lives of millions 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 a huge 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 and their desire for their children to have a better life. Unfortunately, many parents cannot afford the tuition fees.
How can people lift themselves up and solve their problems without knowledge?
Your donations are helping millions of children in Kenya, and hopefully someday in other countries, to help themselves.
I hope you will consider Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
Media Attention
Bluffton, SC Chamber of Commerce Spotlight
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
For videos please visit our YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are not affiliated with any political party, political movement, social movement, or religious system. We exist to give children the opportunity to improve their knowledge through education.
We believe:
All children should have the opportunity to better themselves through education. Therefore, we dedicate ourselves to improving educational opportunities.
Children are children regardless of race, nationality, religion, sex, ethnic background, or any other delineation.
Therefore, we pledge to help all children.
We exist to help improve educational opportunities for children. Therefore, we will not discriminate against any child for any reason.
Discrimination of any kind or on any basis is immoral and unacceptable. Therefore, we will not discriminate against any individual, employee, volunteer, or anyone else for any reason.
Helping people help themselves is our goal. Education is the best vehicle to help people help themselves.
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. You can set up a recurring monthly donation HERE. You can also make a tribute gift in honor or memory of someone.
Create a legacy by remembering Libraries For Kids, Int'l in your estate planning.
There are a lot of new names on the honor roll this month and several people who have moved up to the next level.
So far we have received donations of money or services from 638 people or organizations located in:
7 Countries: Australia, France, Kenya, Northern Mariana Islands, Canada, Puerto Rico, USA
35 States: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IN, IL, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WVA, WY
Click Here to see the full donor Honor Roll
We are indebted to and grateful for the individuals and businesses that have donated to Libraries for Kids, Int'l. Here are the different honor roll levels and who is on each level. The Swahili word is in parenthesis.
Meerkat (Meerkat) Donated books, in-kind services, or money.
So far there are 293 Meerkats.
Click here [to see them all. Some](/about/honor-roll/)
of you are close to the Zebra level so please consider an additional donation.
Zebra (Punda Milia) - $100 or more
To date, there are 210 Zebras.
Click here to see them all
Impala (Pala) - $500 or more
To date, there are 58 Impalas. Click
here to see them all
Giraffe (Twiga) - $1,000 or more
To date, there are 44 Giraffes.
Click here to see them all
Oryx (Choroa)- $2,500 or more
Bluffton United Methodist Church Den & Jan Austin Herb & Carol Egoroff Jim & Peg Forbes Gary & Dot Jeger George & Susan Kreick Shirley Mingledorff Phyllis Moorehead Darlene Morrison
Ed Dick & Chris Bookish Road Trip: Mary Helen Sheriff PayPal Giving Fund
Rhinoceros (Kifaru): $5,000 or more
- Elwood Barnes
- Low Country Taps
- Chick McIntyre
- Marilyn Moore
Sable Antelope (Mfano Mzuri): $7,500 or more
Steve & Ruth Dexter JR & Betty Rutherford Morningstar Storage
Cheetah (Duma): $10,000 or more
Ed & Betty Eich Richard Hoeksema Jim & Karen Ralston Bobbi & Matt Tenwolde doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation
Leopard (Chui) - $25,000 or more
- Dr. David Stallings
- Rick & Becky Harris
- Tito's Handmade Vodka
- Grand Circle Foundation
Lion (Simba) - $50,000 or more
Elephant (Tembo) - $100,000 or more
Sharron & Roy Austin
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.
Barbara Bricker Barbara graciously donates her services every year. She created our new logo, brochures, flyers, postcards, and ads for our sponsors. She is a retired graphic artist (Small Miracles Design) and currently sells real estate in NC and SC. https://www.newviewrealtyllc.com
Paul Soviero, Owner, Next Move HHI helped us find bookcases for our storage location.
http://www.nexmovehhi.com/index.php
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. Printing our brochures and business cards at cost.
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, packing tape, and supplied gift bags for events.
Alan Flowers and Alan Kwiatkowski 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/
