Reading Creates Countless Opportunities
Reading a book is something that most people take for granted. Even with the introduction of technology like Kindle’s and others it is still an activity that for most people is second nature. Like any learned skill and ability it is understandable that it does just become commonplace but the value of reading is really underestimated in the Western world.
As an activity reading brings us pleasure as we can read articles, books and browse the internet. We can also read to make purchases and read aloud to help educate our children. We also need to read to earn money through a job and develop a career. Regardless of whether you approach a company directly or use a recruitment agency you will need to demonstrate your reading skills in order to be made a job offer and make a living.
The fact is that reading enriches lives and helps people achieve their goals and dreams – all this just from developing our reading skills as a child.
Perhaps you’ve never thought of the impact that reading has on your life but if you think about its beginnings and what you’ve been able to do, participate in and achieve all because of reading you might be surprised.
Turning it on its head think about how your life would be impacted if you couldn’t read or didn’t have access to education or books. In a Western society this is almost unthinkable as everyone does have access to such things. However, in Africa the same does not apply and therefore opportunities are limited and schools are no where near as well equipped or resourced.
Valuable skill
Children in Africa see books as a really valuable tool and whilst children in the West are absorbed in technology and gadgets the schools in Africa cry out for book donations from around the world. It is believed that book donations can create a foundation for a better education system in Africa.
It is also widely recognized that giving African children the opportunity of education can help prevent them remaining in poverty and raising their quality of life above that of previous generations. In donating books to Africa helps reach children who otherwise would not attend school or receive education at all.
The sad facts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are that 40% of children in Africa don’t attend school despite being of school age. This means there are a staggering 46 million children who have never seen a classroom.
With all this in mind it is easy to see why it is the mission of this site to send as many books as possible to help develop Africa and empower the people there to help themselves. Rather than just donating money it is more helpful to donate a useful tool that can educate a generation of children rather than just pay for a short term fix.
The ultimate in recycling
With the advent of technology, books are diminishing in Western society which therefore means there are a large volume of unwanted books out there that could be donated.
There are a variety of ways that you can help in gathering together book donations for use by less privileged children. It is also a way of helping to recycle rather than throw out books that have been outgrown or are no longer used. In the same way that your books once mattered to you they can be used again by other children.
Reading is perhaps best summed up by Dr Suess who said: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” This is certainly true and in giving books to Africa it is hoped that lives will be made better for it.
The opportunities and skills that reading teaches us enable us to do all sorts of things including travel, cook, write, communicate, teach, and drive to name but a few. To give this gift to others through simple donation of the books that shaped our existence is priceless.
Whether you choose to do this through a donation from yourself, arranging a book drive or other donation event or act as a student volunteer is entirely your choice. Whatever you choose know that your efforts will really make a difference to lives of children in Africa.
