Moscow, ID
What makes a river rafting supply company, a whole school district, and an excited community come together? A book drive for St. Theresa Primary School in Lesotho, of course! Peace Corps Volunteer Pam Rogers eagerly awaits the books collected under Alice Pope Barbut’s steady hand. The Friends of the Moscow Library, the Moscow School District, and Northwest River Supplies all rallied to get the word out and the books in.
After weeks of planning, the whirlwind book drive took place in early February. In addition to the 1,310 books sent to St. Theresa Primary School, the Moscow volunteers packed and shipped a second library to Namatapa Primary School in Malawi! Pam Rogers was an active member of her community in Idaho, and now she has inspired her community to pay it forward to students in Africa.
Rogers, AR
Marion Moore, ALP’s oldest book drive coordinator yet (!), gathered her books for her granddaughter, Kristan Reed, and Menkhoaneng Primary School. She is so happy to be helping Kristan with her Peace Corps work in Africa. Marion galvanized her whole community in Arkansas, from the Elks Club and Boy Scouts to the local libraries and schools.
The hardest part was getting the word out, but after everyone knew about the cause, she was overwhelmed by the generosity of her community. Marion says it best: “It has been such a pleasure to know that the young people and teachers who will be receiving these books will be able to move forward because of what we’re doing here.” Surely Kristan Reed is proud of her grandmother!
Lake Champlain Islands, VT
Dr. Bettina Laidley of Fairfax, VT is ALP’s personal fairy godmother. After running one book drive to support her daughter Belinda, a Peace Corps volunteer, the books kept pouring in! Bettina continues to start other book drives by word of mouth, extending her reach far beyond her daughter’s first library project. Today, Bettina still collects and sends school supplies to establish African library projects, as well as supports and funds new libraries.
When Bettina told the tiny Vermont Island Elementary Schools about ALP, they crossed the bridges and causeways of Lake Champlain to start two libraries in Lesotho, Africa—Shalon English Medium Primary School and Setala Primary School. One school of just 34 students created a 2-minute photo story to get the word out, and another school created posters and flyers to display all around the district. They also formed an after-school African Library Club to help organize the project. Students held a talent show, bake sales, and a bottle drive to raise the money for shipping. Even this tiny school district made a huge difference!
All of the friends and family of Lesotho Peace Corps Volunteers know exactly where their books are going: into the capable hands of their loved ones. However, they know that the cause is bigger than helping out their close friend or family member in Africa. They can’t wait to make literacy a reality in Lesotho!
