2024 Newsletters

December - Over 1.1 MILLION Books Shipped!

Let's get straight to the fun part! Our book partnerBooks for Africa confirmed containers 23, 24 and 25 have officially shipped with a total of 216,943 books on board. Container number 22 has been on the water with an estimated arrival date in Kenya - December 22nd. The holidays just got a lot brighter here at Libraries for Kids! When container 25 touches down early 2025, we will have officially shipped 1,138,492 books to Kenya!! Today is giving Tuesday, a day traditionally focused on generosity and financial contributions, we want to take a moment to reflect on something even more profound: the incredible impact you've helped us create over the past 5 1/2 years. This year, instead of solely asking for your support, we want to give you a gift – the gift of our shared impact. Your commitment and generosity have fueled our mission, allowing us to touch countless lives and foster positive change in Kenya.

With your support this year, we have been able to ship 5 containers with a total book count of 303,748 to Kenya. These books do not just service the students in our rural primary schools. These students share the content of these books with their siblings, their families, and their communities. When these four containers are officially delivered to their respected destinations, we will have surpassed the 50% mark on Library's established in rural Kenyan primary schools. We have doubled our goals for 2025, so we can double the impact we have made this year. Every dollar you've contributed has been a steppingstone towards a brighter future for those we serve. Your belief in our mission has empowered us to dream bigger and reach further, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.

November - GIVING TUESDAY Igniting Dreams a Little Early

Mary’s Dream: Imagine walking into a schoolyard, hearing laughter and joy coming from young children playing at recess—children who dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, and farmers, but have never held the book that inspires them to keep their dreams alive. In most rural villages in Kenya, libraries are a distant dream, and the only stories children hear are the ones handed down from their elders. With your help, we can change that! Donations leading into Giving Tuesday will fill their shelves with books that are otherwise scarce or empty, empowering children to dream big and reach for the stars. Meet Mary, a bright young girl who loves to read but has little access to books. Last summer, while we were in Kenya, she shared her dream with us, expressing her excitement to become a doctor and help the people in her village. She stated, “My dream is to become a doctor and help those people who can’t reach hospitals. Go to them and treat them; and if they don’t have money, I will work for free and get them medications.” Every day, she walks miles to school, hoping to find a new story that will take her on an adventure, fueling her dreams and aspirations. But without books in the library, her imagination is limited. Your generosity can provide Mary and countless other students with the books they desperately want and need to expand their horizons. This Giving Tuesday, you can help the Libraries for Kids, Int’l mission to create a world where every child in Kenya’s rural primary schools has access to a library filled with books that inspire and educate. In rural Kenya, education is a beacon of hope. Yet, many children are denied the chance to learn and grow due to a lack of resources. We are providing books to fill their libraries, ensuring that every child has a safe space to explore the wonders of reading. Together, we can turn the page on poverty and open doors to brighter futures. Your gift can help us transform communities, one child at a time. Every dollar you donate goes directly to creating libraries filled with books that will inspire, educate, and empower. Each library turns their dreams into reality. Thank you for being a part of our mission and for believing in the power of education. Let’s give these children the gift of knowledge and the chance to dream.

October - Hope in 60 Seconds: The Impact of Your Support

We’re thrilled to share some fantastic updates with you! Thanks to the incredible support from the Grand Circle Foundation, we successfully funded an entire container at our spring charity event, and it has just been delivered! There are many students and communities in the Amboseli region now blessed from this delivery. But that’s not all— another container is ready to leave port, and Books for Africa is loading three more to ship shortly after the holidays.

Once these three containers are complete, we’ll unveil two monumental milestones that will elevate our mission to new heights. We can’t wait to share this excitement with you!

But wait—there’s more! Laura received a heartfelt email from two visionary supporters who visited Kenya last month, eager to explore our schools. This is a rare opportunity, and we were thrilled to make it happen! Here’s what they had to say about their inspiring experience...

"We had the opportunity to donate at a fundraiser in the spring of 2024, and later, while planning a trip to Kenya for Safari in September, we decided last minute to visit a local school supported by the organization. The experience was unforgettable. The children greeted us with such warmth, surrounding us upon arrival and eagerly shaking our hands. We also had the chance to sit with five students who shared their favorite books and future aspirations, which was both heartwarming and inspiring. They even provided a list of books the school needs, giving us a much deeper understanding of their educational needs. This experience was incredibly fulfilling, and we are committed to continuing our support through future donations."

- Richard Hoeksema & Greta Sandberg

Thank you to all of our supporters for being an essential part of not only our mission but the vision of Libraries for Kids, Int’l!

September - What 2024 Giving Tuesday means for children in rural Kenya!

What 2024 Giving Tuesday means for children in rural Kenya!

As we approach Giving Tuesday in the coming months, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we can make together. This day isn’t just about giving; it’s about igniting hope and inspiring change. Founded in 2012 as a simple idea to encourage people to do good, Giving Tuesday has blossomed into a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the entire world.

At Libraries for Kids, Int'l, we are dedicated to ensuring that every child in a rural Kenyan primary school has access to the joy of reading. With 100% of your program donations going directly to our mission, each contribution becomes a steppingstone toward creating a brighter future. Your generosity will help us put books into the hands of children who may otherwise never experience the magic of a story. Imagine a child, their eyes wide with wonder as they open a new book for the first time. This is the gift your support provides—an opportunity for growth, learning, and empowerment. Giving Tuesday strives to build a world where the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity for all.

This year, let’s join hands with the global network of Giving Tuesday, which collaborates year-round to inspire generosity. Together, we can create a ripple effect of knowledge and inspiration that resonates far beyond the pages of a book. Your donation this fall, no matter the size, fuels our vision and ensures that we can continue to change lives through literacy. Curious to know the approximate cost of funding and transporting ONE book from the United States ~ to the front door of a school in rural Kenya? About sixty-three cents. This fall, we will be making a difference ONE book at a time. Thank you in advance for believing in us, believing in the power of reading, and for supporting our mission to bring hope and joy to the children of Kenya.

August - How Big of an Impact?

Do the books we put in rural schools have an impact on the students’ future? This is an important question. Unfortunately, we currently lack a direct method to measure the impact we are making. We shipped our first container in December 2020 and 20 more containers since then. We haven't been able to download any reports from the Kenyan Ministry of Education website. Even if we could get the annual test scores, the books haven't been there long enough to show significant impact, especially since our primary focus is on rural primary schools.

We focus on rural primary schools because research indicates that early education has a profound long term impact on a child's life.

A study done by Raj Chetty in Tennessee found that quality kindergarten through 3rd-grade education significantly impacted long-term earning potential. When we visit the schools (at our expense), we see the impact firsthand through conversations with teachers and students. Over the last 4 years, I have visited 37 rural schools. The teachers report significant improvement in students English skills. Often children stay late or come in early to read, and annual test scores are up! The most common comment I get from students is, "The books have helped me speak better English.” When we brought books to the schools we visited this year, the kids immediately dove in and started reading. The warm and enthusiastic welcome we get is overwhelming and often bring tears to my eyes. Is Libraries for Kids, Int'l having an impact? Absolutely!! These children will be future leaders, doctors, nurses, pilots, lawyers, etc. because they now see the broader world beyond their rural village.

July - Evolving but Keeping Our Promise

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.

June - Why are Libraries Important in Rural Kenya?

James Patterson is the author of over 200 books, everything from murder mysteries to fantasys to children's books. To paraphrase James Patterson, "Libraries Save Lives" That is a bold statement and begs the question: "How do libraries save lives? Libraries expand educational opportunities which increases employment opportunties which reduces poverty. Librares give children hope for achieveing their dreams. As 13 year old Branmuu told me "These books, they opened up the world to me."

Libraries raise awareness and understanding of:

Climate Change, Environmental issues, Wildlife conservation, Human wildlife conflict, Disease prevention - Covid, HIV, Cancer, etc., Child abuse, Human trafficking, Pregnancy, FGM - Female circumcision, Crime, Drug Abuse.

Creating libraries in rural Kenyan schools are an investment in the lives of future leaders. An investment in children who are hungry to learn and contribute to their families and communities.

So far, 631 individuals and organizations in 35 states and 7 contires have donated to Libraries For Kids, Int'l. On behalf of the children in Kenya - THANK YOU!! You are making a difference in the lives of millions of children in Kenya. So far we have put books in 6,540 rural schools impacting 1.6 million children plus their teachers, families, and communities. I am eagerly looking forward to returning to Kenya in May and June. I will be visiting 15 schools and teacher Anna Tayiai who inspired Libraries for Kids, Int'l.

May - And the Winners Are, Student “Learners in Kenya”

And the Winners are, through the generosity of our donors and supporters of Libraries for Kids’ World Book Day Charity Event. The winners are: Students “Learners” in Kenya. Our goal was to raise $100,000 at our World Book Day Event. We surpassed that goal!!! Surpassing our goal enables the shipment of Six more containers, approximately 250,000 books, later this year. making a total of 500,000+ books this year!

April - It’s a Party and You Are Invited!

While we have put books in 6,223 rural schools in Kenya impacting the lives of 1.5 million children plus their families, teachers, and communities, there are approximately 14,000 more rural schools in Kenya with 3.5 million children who are waiting for books. To reach them all we need your support and prayers. As you will see below, our World Book Day Charity Event is coming up on April 27, 2024.

March - 14,000 More Rural Schools

While we have put books in 6,223 rural schools in Kenya impacting the lives of 1.5 million children plus their families, teachers, and communities, there are approximately 14,000 more rural schools in Kenya with 3.5 million children who are waiting for books. To reach them all we need your support and prayers. As you will see below, our World Book Day Charity Event is coming up on April 27, 2024.

Our team in Kenya is hard at work stamping and sorting the 233,000 books that arrived a few weeks ago to prepare them for delivery to rural schools.

February - Books Arrived

The 5 containers with 233,000 books arrived at our warehouse in Kitui Kenya on Februrary 1st. It will take about a month to process them all in. Each book has to be stamped "Libraries For Kids, Int'l, Not For Sale." Then the books are sorted by grade level and subject and repackaged in the boxes. Hopefully we will be delivering to rural schools in March. It will take about 3 months to deliver this many books. I look forward to reporting how many more schools have received books.

BOOKS REALLY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: We get all our books from Books For Africa, a nonprofit that has warehouses full of donated books. The teachers in Kenya tell us what type of books they want and we turn their order in to BFA. BFA then arranges the shipment of containers all the way to our warehouse in Kitui Kenya at which point it is up to us to deliver the books to rural schools. Since its inception in 1988, BFA has shipped 60 million books to all 55 countries in Africa. Recently Tom Warth, Founder of Books for Africa and his wife Zantha visited Savannah and Laura Winkel and I had lunch with them.

So far, 590 individuals and organizations have donated to Libraries For Kids, Int'l. On behalf of the children in Kenya - THANK YOU!! You are making a difference in the lives of millions of children in Kenya. Mungu Akubariki (God Bless You) Neema na Amani (Grace and Peace)

January - Can Books Really Make a Difference?

These students and millions more like them have hope for a better future thanks to people like you. Our motto "Books Open Opportunities 4 Kids" is becoming a reality. Five more containers are due to arrive in Kenya on January 30th with 233,000 books. They were due earlier but delayed due to problems in the Red Sea. Please pray for their safe arrival in Kenya.