Hillel Academy students donate library in Botswana

The students at Hillel Academy in Tampa are collecting 1000 books and $500 to start an elementary school library at the Grace Kgari Primary School in Botswana as part of the African Library Project. The children are collecting books at the school until November 25^th.  Part of the program will be educating the Tampa students about the importance of literacy, something they take for granted.  Amy Wasser, head of school acknowledged that “books are aplenty at Hillel and part of this project will open the eyes of our students to the needs of children far away, and how their efforts can make such an impact on a community.” 

Ben Rosenberg, a Hillel Academy 5^th grader loves to read. “Reading is an important part of our life. We use it all the time. If you can’t read, how do you succeed?  All books teach you something and form a picture in your brain to help you learn something new.  I feel so happy that we are going to donate books to this school in Botswana, so we can help these children have a better education.”

The African Library Project has mobilized volunteers from across the United States to start 701 libraries in 9 countries over the past five years. It is an all-volunteer organization based in Portola Valley, Calif. that helps Americans start community libraries with African partners, “We couldn’t do it without the dedication and creativity of book drive organizers,” says Chris Bradshaw, founder of the African Library Project.

In addition to books the students will be making small gifts to send to the children at the Grace Kgari School.  The youngest grades will make bookmarks; intermediate students will write letters and the middle school will prepare a photo journal of their school.  If you would like to donate books to the project please drop them off by November 25^th to the school at 2020 West Fletcher Avenue in Tampa.  A pep rally to ignite the event will occur on November 13^th at the campus.