As an all-volunteer organization, the African Library Project depends on amazing people at every level to work as a team starting libraries in Africa.  Here is the story of one of our behind-the-scenes volunteers, working every day to knit together our book drives with their African partners.

After working in pharmaceuticals for most of her career, Amelia Yee decided to do something new…in fact, many things new. Upon seeing an ad calling for a volunteer at the African Library Project, Amelia assumed the position of Book Drive Coordinator. She matches collectors in the US with libraries in Africa based upon the resources they’re able to commit. After initially only pledging 5 hours of her time to ALP, Amelia spends 15-20 hours/week bridging connections across continents, between givers and receivers.  In a week’s work, she may speak to a Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, a Girl Scout troop from California, and a future library staff member in Botswana.

Coordinating book drives may sound time-consuming, but Amelia’s volunteer work hardly stops at the ALP. Guided by her enjoyment of walking and backpacking, Amelia began volunteering at a rehabilitation center where she helps seniors recover from strokes or other disabilities. She hopes to move onto hospice care soon. In addition, Amelia fills in as the house manager and usher for the Peninsula Symphony.  It may come as no surprise that Amelia is adept at bouncing from thing to thing; she did move to Minnesota from Hong Kong when she was 20 to attend school. Or perhaps she is moved by connections; bringing a book to a child, a new face to beautiful music or peace to the sick.