Last July, the Des Moines Central Library featured an AVID (Author Visit to Des Moines) event. Writer, Shirley Daamsgard came down to discuss read her latest book. Daamsgard was born and raised in nearby Stuart. After her book summary, she discussed her prize, international cause.

TRAVELING LIBRARIES

She talked about a non-profit, literary program that is putting books in children’s hands. “Traveling libraries” are volunteers who bring books to villages in Africa’s most destitute regions, like Sudan, Chad and Darfur. Camels are used to carry boxes or donated books with tents and other equipment to construct mobile libraries. One day a week, books are given to children at each stop. The mobile libraries operated, just like regular libraries. Books are to be returned when the camels and librarians come back the following week. For an a hour or so, the volunteers assisted locals with on library’s rules and how to return and check-out books. Afterwards, they followed the same procedures village to village.

Online, monetary donations and gifted books are vital in keeping “traveling libraries” in operation. This cause has come from the direct kindness of others. Volunteer, book drives provided many of these reading materials. Schools and generous families offered up these slightly used, reading materials. Books with firm bindings and very, minor wear are available to be donated. Stained and damaged books aren’t suitable to be used as gifts. African children aren’t meant to read what should be thrown away. Adequate materials provided good reading and positive, self-esteem. They are to be treated as equals. Racial unequality contributed heavily to their plight.

BILL GATES AND OPRAH WINFREY

Both mass media, moguls donated tens of millions of dollars to benefit Africa. Their monies helped construct schools, pay for teachers, find housing for orphaned students and those suffering from AIDS and provide humane, health care.

Gates proprosed his pledge to end poverty in Africa in a decade. His plan has reached Year Three. He and his wife are among the biggest and most consistent contributors to bettering the continent. His involvement encouraged investors to put in money for development. He has recruited other billionaires to donate, like Paul Allen (owner of the Portland Trailblazers) and Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks).

For two Christmases, Oprah Winfrey has visited South Africa and financed a $30 million AIDS hospice and women’s orphanage outside Johannesburg. She has given gifts of backpacks, school supplies, medicine, clothes and tennis shoes. Over 50,000 children received these presents. In 2007, she and her staff from the Oprah show gave out Christmas for three weeks.

The AIDS hospice and orphanage have a newly-constructed school nearby. Before Oprah’s giving, females in these townships lived in inhabitable squalors. Many worked as prostitutes for pay for their food and housing. They enjoyed little to no education because they had no adequate shoes to walk the long miles to school. Over 70% of black residents living in these conditions are functionally illiterate. About 33% of the women have contracted the HIV virus. The generosity also provided much-needed medicine for those carrying the virus and having the disease.

To save a continent, more people are needed to step up and give. Millionaires aren’t needed, just millions with a big heart.

Sources:

Look online at the Bill Gates plan to end poverty in Africa.

Look online at the Traveling Libraries site for money and book donations.