Help Stock A Library In South Africa

I don't think there has been a day in my life since I learned to read when I have not held a book in my hand. More often than not those books would have come from a library. I have lived in eight different towns and cities and have always had access to a library right there on my doorstep. A library bursting with possibilities and wonder. Shelf upon shelf of books packed with the poems and stories that are the amazing product of the human imagination. I find it hard to imagine a world not illuminated by books. Impossible to imagine a world without libraries.

But for the people of the Nkomazi region of South Africa this is the reality. Aside from the books they see in school they have no access to books. No access to the wealth of poetry and stories that we take for granted.

Imagine your only access to books is 30 miles away. Imagine for your children to discover what happened to the hungry caterpillar they first had to walk from Bristol to Stroud. To find out whether there really is a Gruffalo in the woods you first have to walk from Norwich to Thetford. Voyage Of The Dawn Treader? York to Leeds. Treasure Island, Swallows & Amazons, and Harry Potter can be found if you first walk from Anfield to Old Trafford.

I think it is easy to under estimate the impact that access to books has on our lives. Reading enhances formal education and opens our minds to the possibilities of life. Books set our imaginations free and feed inspiration. There are three things the Za Foundation needs to help it put access to the magic of books right in the heart of the Nkomazi community.

1. A forty foot export container. Which they will ship to South Africa, transport to Nkomazi and adapt into a permanent library building in the community

2. Books. Books. And More Books. A whole library's worth.

3. The furniture, fittings and all the necessary materials to facilitate the conversion of the container. All of which will be shipped to South Africa with the books in the container.



Think of it as a plan for an instant library. The Za Foundation needs your help to make this happen.


How can you help?


By sending the Za Foundation a copy of one of your books. Many books have already been donated but the Za Foundation need more and I want to ensure a good selection of Poetry (although ANY books are welcome!) for both Children and Adults is in incorporated in the library.



The address of the Za Foundation is 36 High Street, Portishead, Bristol BS20 6EN. Do your best, send them your book and make sure your book is part of the project.



THANK YOU.