American Children Organizing Bookdrive

  Stem libraries for Africa is bridging the stem education opportunity gap in sub Saharan Africa

The STEM field is rapidly growing and the demand for scientists and engineers are increasing. Africa will fall behind if schools are not given access to STEM resources immediately. It is up to us as a society to come together and make literacy possible for the African population, because everyone deserves access to knowledge and opportunity.

 About 

STEM LIbraries for Africa has initiated STEM-themed libraries in Africa to add to future generations of innovators. STEM books can have a huge impact on a child’s life, and less than 25% of African higher education students are in STEM fields. Most African schools do not focus on STEM subjects due to the lack of STEM resources. It takes courage to achieve your dreams, and to do something outside of the box. Our initiative aims for both—giving African students the educational tools and support they need to dream big and change the world, one innovative idea at a time.

William Kamkwamba, a TED fellow and supporter of African Library Project, is an example of how access to STEM resources can truly be life changing. One STEM Book, Using Energy, allowed him to build a windmill that powered a water pump and saved his village from famine. William is only one person, but so many talented individuals fail to succeed due to the lack of STEM resources in Africa. We input STEM books today, and the output from Africa will be a new generation of innovators who are prepared to embrace and create opportunities of the future.

 

how we operate 

Our network of volunteers in the U.S. collect STEM-focused books and compile them into one box “STEM supplements” that are sent to schools in Africa every month.

 

impact

135,000 + Students Supported

STEM Libraries for Africa has impacted hundereds of thousands of students in primary and secondary schools across the continent

10,000+ STEM Resources Collected

In partnership with local schools and STEM education organizations, we’ve sent tens of thousands of STEM books, curriculum, calculators, and more.

150+ Schools Supported

STEM Libraries for Africa has sent resources to hundereds of primary and secondary school libraries.

6 countries

This program has had a profound impact on thousands of students across Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Ghana, Botswana, and Malawi.

our story

 IT ALL STARTED WITH A BOOK 

A little after organizing his first book drive for Swaziland, Santa Clara High sophomore, Saurav Gandhi, received a copy of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba. He was inspired to see how one STEM book had such a huge impact on a young Malawian innovator’s life.

Saurav approached the African Library Project and proposed sending STEM integrated libraries to Africa to bridge the STEM Literacy gap on the continent. In order to test out the feasibility of his idea, he curated a box of STEM resources, including books, posters, and curriculum and shipped it to an ALP library in a village where a Peace Corps volunteer was stationed. They reported back to us that the box was enthusiastically received and given a special place in the library, where students flocked to with curiosity. The volunteer’s story was music to his ears because the goal of the project was to recreate the moment William found Using Energy on a larger scale.

Assured of the project’s promise, Saurav worked with ALP to move ahead and expand the project. We recruited 15 Youth Ambassadors from across the US, who ran STEM book drives in their own communities and began shipping an assortment of STEM books and resources to ALP libraries. In just 8 months with minimal funding and a strong team of Youth Ambassadors, we have collected over ten thousand STEM resources for thousands of students in dozens of schools across Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda.

 

 

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba—the book the sparked the STEM Libraries for Africa Project.

Saurav Gandhi with William Kamkwamba

 MEET THE team

Saurav Gandhi

STEM Libraries For Africa Founder & Project Lead 

 

TATIANA SANTOS

STEM Libraries For Africa Advisor 

 

 frequently asked questions

I have STEM books, can I donate them?

Yes! We are always looking for STEM books to send to our partner schools in Africa. Please email saurav@africanlibraryproject.org for more information.

 

How do I join this initiative?

If you are interested in organizing STEM book drives, we would love to have you join our team. Please visit ___ to join!

 

How do I donate to this cause?

You can donate by visiting our Classy Donation page: https://www.classy.org/give/295898/#!/donation/checkout

 

How will my donations be used?

Funds play a huge factor in what it will take to make this idea a reality. The African Library Project has set up thousands of libraries in Africa, however,  it costs $500 to send books to create one library . With our network of African partners and the infrastructure we have set up, we are confident that access to more funds will allow us to immediately send STEM resources to thousands of libraries across Africa.

 

Why does STEM education in Africa matter?

The STEM field is rapidly growing and the demand for scientists and engineers are increasing. Africa will fall behind if schools are not given access to STEM resources immediately. It is up to us as a society to come together and make literacy possible for the African population, because everyone deserves access to knowledge and opportunity.

 

What if I have more questions?

Please email saurav@africanlibraryproject.org