Book Aid International provides books to readers in Africa who don't have any of their own. We give collections of books to libraries, schools and refugee camps. In this section you can read about some of the children we have helped.

Sadly, there are millions more children who still need books so that they can learn to read and write. Books can also help them to learn all kinds of skills that will help them find work and help their families to escape from poverty. You can help too! Check out our World Book Day pages to find out how you can raise money to help children in Africa.

Introduction

Immanuel

Yei

Uongai's story

Uongai lives in Benhura, Zimbabwe with her mother and father. They own a small area of land that they farm. Neither of her parents had an education, but they believe it is very important for Uongai to go to school. They want her to have every chance she can and an education that will help her to get a job in the future.

Until recently the library at Uongai's school was equipped with only a small collection of old and tatty books. They recently received a donation of Book Aid International books delivered to them by a rural library service in Zimbabwe. Also their librarian was trained to help her promote and manage all the new books.

Uongai loves to read but she has little time to do so. Every day, she must help her parents on their small farm before and after school. Once her chores are done and she has completed her homework she sits down in the evening and reads aloud to her parents by the light of a kerosene lamp. Uongai's parents look forward to her story telling sessions as much as she does. She gets to practise her reading skills and her family get to hear stories from all around the world.