"Everyone has the right to education."

Yet in many parts of the world, thousands of children do not have access to quality education. It is estimated that 30% of all children in Africa are currently out of school. That's millions of children.

Children don't attend school for a number of reasons:

• Unable to cover school fees or cost of supplies
• Have to work to support their families
• No school in the area or have to travel great distances
• Schools are over-crowded
• Family doesn’t want them to continue with school
• Forced into early marriage

Existing schools in Africa operate with very little:

• Very outdated books or no text books at all
• Many children share one book (often tattered and worn)
• Write and rewrite material on blackboards
• Few or no desks (many sit on the floor)
• Many have no bathroom facilities (or are in very poor condition)
• Some have no classrooms (are taught outside under a tree)

The Desire is There:
Teachers and students in Africa have a strong desire to teach and learn. Teachers are highly committed and very creative with what little they have.
Children line up for hours just to register for school and many are turned away. Some children walk for HOURS to and from school each day.

In Canada:
Each year, hundreds of Canadian schools and libraries (and individuals) replace thousands of books. Many are discarded or shredded, often ending up in landfills. In addition, new curriculum often make still useful textbooks outdated.

For these reasons, and so many more, Africa Book Project has dedicated itself to collecting used books and schools supplies and redistributing them to needy schools in Africa.

For more information on Africa Book Project, please email us at
 bbriggs@africabookproject.org or call Barb at 287-0483.