Local nonprofit ships over 150,000 books to Kenya
Sep. 14—A local nonprofit celebrated the shipment of more than 150,000 books to Kenya Wednesday afternoon from its warehouse in Marietta.
Books For Africa board members, employees and volunteers gathered in the Marietta warehouse to celebrate their achievements with food, music and beverages.
Books For Africa is a nonprofit organization based in Minnesota and Atlanta that sends books and educational resources to African students ranging from all ages. Since its initial launch in 1988, Books For Africa has successfully shipped more than 55 million books to all 55 countries in Africa.
"Our official mission is to end the book famine in Africa," said Executive Director Patrick Plonski.
Last year alone, Books For Africa donated more than 3.2 million books to African students in need.
Plonski said none of these achievements could be possible without the help from volunteers and donors. This year, the organization is expecting record shipments after partnering with the Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance program.
Director of Atlanta Operations Brad Mattson has played an integral role in operating the Atlanta warehouse for 16 years. Mattson said thousands of people from across Metro Atlanta volunteer each year and anyone can sign up to support the cause.
"This is a big project and big scope. We work with our congress in Minnesota and Lucy McBath here in Georgia. When you work with your friends, good things happen," Plonski said.
Most book shipments come out of the Minneapolis and Atlanta warehouses. But Plonski said they ship books from all over the globe.
Board President Mike Essien was born in Nigeria. Essien said he is proud to be a part of an organization that has changed the lives of many.
"Fifty-five million books. That's a real deal. Somebody's benefitting from this, somebody's flipping through the pages and learning. We have impacted so many," Essien said.
To learn more about Books for Africa or to get involved, logon to booksforafrica.org.
