In April, books delivered to Gulu Primary School, below left, in Uganda, began quietly transforming classrooms. Teachers are now using these books for storytelling, group reading and discussions. Students who once showed little interest are now drawn to bright, age-appropriate stories that spark curiosity and imagination. These are the outcomes we have been working toward -- not just delivering books, but creating access points for learning, creativity and connection.

And sometimes, that impact is best understood through a single story, as reported from Gulu Primary School. Hope, a primary grade 3 learner, once struggled to read aloud and often avoided participating in class. Today, she borrows a book every week. She’s discovered a love for stories about animals and adventure. With each page, her confidence has grown. She now raises her hand, reads aloud, and is improving in both fluency and comprehension. Another student Tanga, a grade 5 leaner, put it simply: "I used to think reading was boring, but now I enjoy adventure stories and want to read more books."

This is the shift we are working to create -- not just improved

literacy, but a lifelong love of reading.

What makes these stories especially meaningful right now is that they reflect something deeper happening within our organization. Over the past year, we have been intentionally strengthening our processes on how we communicate with partners on the ground, to how we measure and understand impact. Much of this work happens behind the scenes. It’s not always visible. But now, we are seeing it come to life.

We are hearing directly from schools. We are seeing clearer feedback loops. We are watching the ripple effects unfold not just in numbers, but in names, faces and individual journeys such as Hope’s and Tanga's. This is what it looks like when systems and mission align.

Across Uganda and Kenya, that alignment is gaining momentum. Logistics, delivery and community engagement are coming together in ways that allow us not only to expand, but to deepen our impact. At the same time, we are taking thoughtful steps toward new horizons, including early discussions wth the Ministry of Education in Zambia, grounded in partnership, sustainability and long-term stewardship.

For a long time, it personally felt as though we were working through what I often call the "momentum gap" -- building, refining and preparing, but seeing little visible progress from those efforts. Today, it feels different. We are stepping into a new chapter, one where the foundation we’ve been laying is beginning to bear fruit in real and measurable ways. And the most powerful part? We are no longer just telling our story. The children are telling it with us.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your belief in this work continues to open doors, strengthen systems and change lives -- one child, one book and one story at a time.

Laura Winkel, Chief Executive Officer

Expanding our Reach in Africa With the Help of Rotary Clubs

By Roy Austin, Founder and President, Board of Directors

Libraries for Kids International

During May and June, I traveled to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to strengthen and expand Libraries for Kids International. One way we can do that, I learned, is through Rotary Club partnerships.

In Rwanda, Rotarians quickly mobilized support, arranging meetings with leadership at the Kigali Public Library. This library was built by the Kigali Rotary Club for $6 million. It took 12 years, and they got no grants from Rotary International. They said it was the largest project in the world by a Rotary Club. The club committed to helping receive and distribute book shipments, creating a strong foundation for reaching rural schools.

In Uganda, our local team continues to successfully distribute books, supported by strong community relationships that align closely with Rotary’s service mission.

In Kenya, Rotary engagement is growing rapidly. In Bungoma, local Rotarians expressed strong interest in partnering on a possible Rotary International Global Grant to expand book distribution. I also visited our

warehouse in Kitui, Kenya, and met with our operations coordinator, Wanjiku Francis, above left, and her team. Our board member, Ng’ang’a Wanjohi, above right, traveled from Nairobi to meet with me and discuss future plans for Kenya.

In Tanzania, we are hoping to get permission from the Tanzania Ministry of Education to bring books to rural schools in Tanzania. I visited a couple of schools, and of course, they wanted books. We are also building momentum with multiple Rotary clubs and education leaders in the country. Meetings with Rotary members in Karatu, above photo, and Arusha confirmed strong enthusiasm to support future book distribution. We are also

future book distribution. We are also in early discussions with the Ministry of Education, thanks to connections secured by our trip leader, Witress Emmanuel, with support from our driver, Sande Willis, to secure approval for broader impact.

Across all four countries, Rotary clubs, large and small, demonstrated a shared commitment to literacy and education. Their willingness to collaborate, volunteer and pursue grant opportunities is critical to scaling our work.

Looking ahead, Rotary International partnerships will play a role in expanding access to books and strengthening education in underserved communities in Africa!

Note: Austin spent nearly six weeks in Africa. Read his complete report about his visit.

Libraries for Kids International Strengthens Partnerships for Africa’s Future

Laura Winkel, CEO of Libraries for Kids International visited Washington, D.C., the week of June 8, and engaged in a series of high-level forums and strategic conversations centered on Africa’s future.

The Washington meetings involved topics that align with the mission of Libraries for Kids International, Winkel said. "Literacy and access to books are foundational to building human capital, strengthening education systems and empowering the next generation of African leaders," she said.

Winkel characterized the meetings as "energizing and deeply meaningful" for Libraries for Kids International. She attended the Africa Day 2026 High-Level Forum, "an inspiring gathering of leaders, diplomats and changemakers committed to advancing development across the continent."

Winkel also participated in the African Union High-Level Forum at the AU Mission to the United States, where Her Excellency Ambassador Constancia Gaspar, left, led important discussions on the role of the African Diaspora. "The dialogue highlighted how diaspora engagement and global collaboration are essential to driving sustainable progress throughout Africa," Winkel said. Later, she attended meetings and participated in the Africa Day celebration, hosted by the African Diplomatic Corps and the African Union Mission to the United States at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. The evening celebrated the richness of African culture, heritage and unity across the global community.

Throughout the week, Winkel held meetings with representatives from the Embassy of Kenya, the Embassy of Angola, and other embassy partners, right, continuing important conversations around collaboration and long-term impact.

"A central theme across these engagements was the African Union’s Agenda 2063 -- a strategic framework for achieving "The Africa We Want,"' Winkel said. Agenda 2063 is Africa's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future.

Sande Willis, left, our driver in Tanzania, and I are pointing at the top of Mt. Kilamanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. We titled this photo, "Aim High."