Photos have been removed from this issue because of a law in Kenya requiring strict documentation for photos and videos featuring school children.
Greetings! Here is the October 2021 issue of the Libraries For Kids, Int'l monthly e-newsletter. Thanks for your interest and support. QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"“When you educate one person you can change a life, when you educate many you can change the world.”
Shai Reshef, Founder of University of the People
Focus on the Objective, Not the Obstacle
When Libraries for Kids, Int'l first started, many people told us to forget it and that it would never work. But experience had taught me to ignore negative talk if the project is worthwhile.
From about 1986 to 1999 I volunteered with the John R. Hay House in Kingsport, TN. Hay House is a halfway house for convicted felons on probation or parole. Eventually, I Chaired a volunteer advisory board to the Department of Corrections in Tennessee.
Around 1992, Tennessee created the Community Corrections program and offered grants for programs to divert felony offenders from prison and provide services such as education, job placement, and substance abuse counseling to reduce the probability of an offender continuing committing crimes. Hay House provided these types of programs so we considered applying for a grant. At that time there was only one grantee and they were in Memphis, TN, 500 miles from Kingsport. The Director of Hay House, Chuck Walsh, and I drove to Memphis to find out how their grant program was working. I was doing the accounting for Hay House so my questions centered around how much red tape and reporting was required by the Tennessee Department of Corrections. I met with the Director of the Memphis program, a man who had been in prison and while in prison his life changed when he read W Clement Stone's book "Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude." I asked him a series of questions all at once. He got half a word out of his mouth and stopped. He looked me in the eye with the intensity of a lion looking at it's prey and said "Roy, anything you attempt in life, if it is worthwhile, will have obstacles and problems. You have to accept the fact that you will solve the problems as they arise." I later condensed his comment to:
Focus on the Objective, not the Obstacle
The world if full of people who say "it can't be done" but if it is a worthwhile project, go for it and solve the problems as they occur. Libraries For Kids, Int'l has had its share of challenges but we will persevere because the libraries we create are opening opportunities for thousands of children.
The 8 containers of books that have arrived or are on the way will create libraries in about 1,600 schools impacting the lives of 250,000 children. There are over 6,700 rural schools in Kenya with little or no internet. We have requests from Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, and Tanzania. There is much to do so please help us help these children.
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.
PS - I will be in Kenya & Tanzania in September and October to visit schools and national parks I haven't been to.
If you are skeptical about whether a book can make a difference, read "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind."
It is an amazing true story about a young man in Malawi who had very little schooling and didn't speak or read English but he accomplished amazing things when he got hold of a book written in English about physics.
OUR BOARD
Libraries For Kids, Int'l is blessed to have a dedicated and talented Board of Directors who are committed to
Books Opening Opportunities 4 Kids
In previous e-newsletters (go here to see previous newsletters), we have highlighted our Board members. Libraries For Kids, Int'l has accomplished a lot since we got our IRS exemption a little over 2 years ago (May 10, 2019) and that is due in large part to the behind the scene efforts of our Board.
Rick Harris - Vice-Chair & Container shipments Chris Hervochon, CPA, CVA - Treasurer
Dottie Patterson - Secretary Erich Schmid - Shipping and Receiving Tamela Maxim - Chair of Fundraising Committee Gary Jeger - IT and Database Development Daniella Stonefield - Fundraising Jonathan Cooper - Fundraising Steve Richards - Grants Ng'ang'a Wanjohi - Rotary Club in Nairobi - Kenya advisor Dr. David Stallings - Special Advisor Rev. Joey McDonald - Spiritual Advisor Roy Austin - Chair
We are also thankful for Advisors to the Board who are available on an as-needed basis
Charles Bowen - Legal Marjorie Young - Public Relations Dave Kimball - former Board Chair Coastal Carolina Hospital
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. ____________________________________
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Kyalilini Primary School
Kyalilini was one of the first schools to receive books. I'm not sure how I missed featuring it in previous newsletters. is located approximately two and a half hours east of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi and 10 kilometers North of Kitui town. Headteacher Samuel Mukuu was very grateful for the books. I am looking forward to visiting Kyalilini. Churches supporting the schools in Kyalilini have dedicated special prayers for the Libraries For Kids International as the institution works towards making a difference for children located in rural parts of developing countries. Kyalilini primary school has over 320 students ranging from PP1- class 8. Pre-education has two levels, (PP1 and PP2), and the primary school, grade 1 to grade 8. On average, each classroom has about 29-46 students all in one stream, and all students are aged between four and 15 years. Study materials are available for three principal subjects, English, Kiswahili, and Mathematics. Students in both Kyalilini share textbooks, one book per three to five students depending on the subject and number of students in the classroom.
SHORT TERM GOAL: 1 MILLION CHILDREN
The 8 containers we are shipping will create libraries in 1,600 schools impacting the lives of 250,000 children. But this is just the start. There are over 6,700 rural schools in Kenya with little or no internet or electricity so we need to fund 25 more containers. It costs $15,000 to ship the container and another $5,000 to deliver the books once the container arrives. On average there are 150 students per school. Your support can help over 1 million children get an education and have the opportunity for a better life.
Our long term vision is to help establish libraries in other countries in Africa and beyond.
A Little Goes A Long Way
A little goes a long way in Kenya. Here is how your donation can help.
- $6 will buy 1 textbook
- $24 will supply a child with textbooks in 4 subjects
- $35 will enable us to deliver books from our warehouse in Kenya to one school. Delivery is commonly done by motorcycle.
Just a few dollars a month helps. You can set up a recurring monthly donation on our website.
SCHOOLS IN KENYA by Wanjiku Francis
The situation in most primary and secondary schools in rural Kenya is similar. The communities erect school buildings for students to go through pre-primary education to high school. The procedure is mostly accomplished via fundraisers, which we call Harambee, and partly CDF (funds from the local parliamentary offices).
The government provides teachers hired through the Teacher Service Commission (TSC). Currently, as the new curriculum is adopted countrywide, the government has been sending a few textbooks for students from grades 1-3 and 7-8 to share.
It is common in rural schools for 20 to 30 students to have to share 1 textbook. The Kenyan government gives 550 Kenyan shillings per child per year to a school. In US dollars that would be $5.50 per child for the year. So, if a school has 100 students, the school would get $550.00 for the whole year. This money is meant to pay for maintenance services at the schools, pay the watchman, and buy teaching materials such as chalks, pens, blackboard, pay the cook, buy desks, etc. The funds are tight for rural schools where parents are unable to top-up the funds to support operations.
Smile.Amazon For Kids
You can support Libraries For Kids, Int'l with your Amazon purchases. It's easy. Set up an account at Smile.Amazon.com. It is the same as a regular Amazon account except that you have the option to designate a charity. Please designate Libraries For Kids, Intl. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to your charity. The donation comes from Amazon, not you. This link will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
When you place an order, login to Smile.Amazon and proceed as you normally would with any other Amazon purchase.
Thanks for your help.
PS - For more information about Libraries For Kids, Int'l visit our website or contact Roy Austin at books@libraries4kids.org or phone him at 843-597- 4826.
HELP: Please donate so we can get the books to the schools once they arrive in Kenya. Each container will create libraries in 150 to 200 schools. When the books arrive in at our warehouse in Kiyui, Kenya it costs about $5,000 to deliver all the books in a container, or about $35 per school.
Please contribute $35 to get books to a school.
We've come so far and cleared so many hurdles. Please help us get the books delivered to the schools.
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 are or what we did. The only true legacy any of us can leave is the positive impact on the lives of others. ______________________________________
SPREAD THE WORD
Please, spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends and contacts, or posting excerpts from this newsletter, or our website, (copy/paste) on your social media accounts.
Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children. CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Recently I was asked why Libraries For Kids, Int'l is not rated by Charity Navigator. We are listed on their site (click here) but they do not rate a charity until after they have filed 3 consecutive 990's (tax returns). We are just 2 years old so they will not rate us until after we file our 990 for 2021 next year in 2022.
Lavington Jioni Rotary Club
We are excited to report that we have partnered with the Lavington Jioni Rotary Club in Nairobi, Kenya. They are assisting us with receipt, stamping, repacking, and delivering the container books to schools. They are also coordinating activities with all of the 40 other Rotary Clubs in Kenya to help
Libraries For Kids, Int'l. Click here for their Facebook page.
What does your donation accomplish?
Libraries For Kids, Int'l offers not a handout, 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.
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 someday other countries, to help themselves.
I hope you will consider Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
Media Attention
WTOC TV
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 DO 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 now set up a monthly donation HERE. You can also make a tribute gift in honor or memory of someone. 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 250 people or organizations located in:
Five Countries: Australia, France, Kenya, Northern Mariana Islands, USA
29 States: AK, AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IN, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
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.
So far there are 143 Meerkats. Click
here [to see them all. Some of you are](/about/honor-roll/)
close to the Zebra level so please consider an additional donation.
Zebra (Punda Milia) - $100 or more
To date, there are 73 Zebras. Click
here to see them all
Impala (Pala) - $500 or more
Delores Ackerman Anonymous Eddie Federwisch Kirk Fox Dot & Gary Jeger Jim & Karen Ralston Gary Shepard Rick & Cindy Jacobs Susan Kreick Don Wright
Giraffe (Twiga) - $1,000 or more
Den & Jan Austin Benton Bowen Charleston CFO Council Ed & Betty Eich Elwood Barnes Kirk Fox Mickaylla McDonald
JR & Betty Rutherford Janice Allinder-Anestes Ty & Suzanne Giesemann Ed Zimmerman
Oryx (Choroa)- $2,500 or more
Marilyn Moore Steve & Ruth Dexter
Rhinoceros (Kifaru): $5,000 or more
Sable Antelope (Mfano Mzuri): $7,500 or more
Cheetah (Duma): $10,000 or more
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.
MEET OUR PARTNERS
We are blessed to have several partners who have donated their time and services.
Barbara Bricker is the owner of Small Miracles Design and is an expert in designing unique graphic solutions for her clients. Barbara graciously donated her services to create our new logo, brochures, and postcards.
https://smallmiraclesdesign.com/
Paul Soviero, Owner, Next Move HHI has 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 and packing tape
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/
