Louis Brownstone Containers for Non-profits in Africa
Project Goal: $80,000
Current Progress: $29,842 (37.00%)
Donate NowAbout: Louis’ projects have sent over 300,000 books across Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Malawi. The types of books distributed are based on the recipient organization’s requests, ranging from elementary picture books to college textbooks.
Projects include setting up the first library at the UNHCR Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya (population ~200,000), creating a library at the Shoe4Africa Children's Hospital in Kenya, filling college nursing libraries in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana, and supporting numerous schools, orphanages, and libraries. Louis also serves as a board member for Books For Africa.
Why: In 2008, Louis spent three months in Tanga, Tanzania, volunteering for a non-profit while living with a local family. After returning to the USA, he wanted to continue supporting individuals and organizations in Africa and discovered Books For Africa (“BFA”). After speaking with BFA staff and researching BFA through Charity Navigator, Louis was impressed by the organization's mission and impact. He decided to send his first 40’ container of books to Africa — and has continued sending containers ever since.
While sitting in the Pamoja Library in Kenya after unloading 10,000 books, Louis opened a donated copy of The Great Gatsby. A quote on the first page resonated with him:
“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
Upcoming Projects: If you have any project proposals, please send Louis an email at louisbrownstone0207@gmail.com.
Project List
Kenya Nursing (Summer 2025). 35,000 nursing textbooks delivered to the Kenya Medical Training College (“KMTC”) and 5,000 reading and textbooks delivered to Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (“KGSA”) and Girls Empowerment Collections.
Kenya Refugee Camp, Children’s Hospital and Others. 65,000 books delivered to establish the first library at the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya (population ~200,000), to fill the library at the Shoe4Africa Children's Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, to support a community library in Meru (Pamoja Library), and to provide books to various orphanages and libraries.
Summary Video
Abdullahi Mire, our partner who created the library in Dadaab, won the 2023 Nansen Award, the UN's most prestigious honor for supporting refugees. Go to 1:37 to view the speech from the awards ceremony.
Ghana Reading Books. 60,000 reading and textbooks delivered to rural libraries (EduSpot), an orphanage (Village of Hope), and schools (Lamplighter School and others).
A Classroom at Lamplighter School, Bia Ghana
Children Unloading Boxes of Books at a Library in Ghana
Ghana Nursing. 20,000 nursing textbooks delivered to seven nursing colleges across Ghana, including Knutsford University College, KAAF University College, Heritage Christian University, Wisconsin International University College, Bia Lamplighter College of Health Sciences, KNUST – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, and the SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College.
A Thank You Video from Knutsford University, Ghana
A Thank You Video from Wisconsin International University, Ghana
A Thank You Video from Heritage Christian University, Ghana
Malawi Nursing. 30,000 nursing textbooks delivered to Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi (located in Blantyre and Lilongwe).
Thank You from the Vice Chancellor of Kamuzu University
Botswana Schools. 30,000 books delivered to middle schools and high schools in the greater Gaborone area.
Ethiopia Nursing. 20,000 nursing textbooks sent to Haramaya University (“UH”), Ethiopia, a public university with approximately 30,000 students.
A Thank You Video from Haramaya University, Ghana
Tanzania Schools. 40,000 library and textbooks delivered to high schools and middle schools in Tanga, Tanzania, in collaboration with the Tanga Rotary Club.
Tanzanian Evening News
Thank You from Tanga Tech High School
