BLUFFTON, S.C. - SCaroNews -- Libraries for Kids International delivered 20,000 books to 85 schools in Uganda this month, establishing libraries in rural public schools across multiple regions in the country. These were the first books delivered in Uganda by the Bluffton, South Carolina-based organization.

The books were shipped from Savannah, Georgia, by sea to Mombasa, Kenya, and then trucked to Uganda in mid-March. After the books were unloaded in Mbale, they were stamped and sorted for delivery to rural schools. All of Libraries for Kids International's book deliveries in the country were completed April 9, said Laura Winkel, CEO, Libraries for Kids International.

The excitement of delivering books for the first time in Uganda "reminded us why we do this," Winkel said. Joy spreads through each school's students and teachers when Libraries for Kids International's books arrive, she added.

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Libraries for Kids International's books make impact, librarian reports

Milly, a librarian at Kabore View Primary School in Chebonet, Uganda, said books delivered to her school have lifted students' enthusiasm for reading. "When I received the books in the library, I assembled, informed and showed the learners samples of the story books," she wrote to Libraries for Kids International. "I called each to at open (a book) and read a few titles. They were very happy and showed gratitude by clapping, singing and dancing while thanking God for answering their prayers through the Libraries for Kids International donors."

The books will help language teachers instill a reading culture with students in their early years, the librarian explained. And, because every class can read books each day in the library, student absentee rates are lower, she wrote. "At the end of the year, (students) will be given awards for reading 90 words per minute in lower grades, and in upper grade, fluent and fast readers," Milly wrote. "May God bless you … for carrying our schools and kids in your thoughts and prayers. You touched the lives of these kids."

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Since 2019, Libraries for Kids International has shipped more 1.4 million books, establishing 12,068 libraries in rural schools in Africa. It has served more than 3 million students, and their families and teachers.

Libraries for Kids International (https://www.libraries4kids.org/) based in Bluffton, South Carolina, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy and education for children in rural areas of Africa. By shipping and providing books to publicly funded rural schools across Africa, the organization helps students discover the joy of learning and expand their opportunities for the future. In addition, the organization hosts monthly author events which are free, at The Roasting Room, 1297 May River Rd., Bluffton.