News

As 2020, with all of its challenges, draws to a close, a Minnesota nonprofit is celebrating some good news. A longstanding effort focusing on donating books to communities across the African continent saw its 50 millionth item sent this week.

Before the end of the month, a child in Ghana will receive a book called "Kofi Loves Music," by Artika Tyner. The book, a story about a little boy's love of music and family, will be the 50 millionth book donated by St. Paul nonprofit Books For Africa to students and people across the continent. The book will travel from the Twin Cities all the way to Ghana along with thousands of other books.

Local news provider KSTP recently visited Books For Africa's warehouse to cover the success of reaching the milestone of sending the 50 millionth book to Africa. Check out the coverage in the video!

When I visited a new library in Uganda in 1988 and discovered its empty shelves, I had no idea that 32 years later Books For Africa (BFA) would be shipping its 50 millionth book to the African continent.

2020 is a momentous year for Books For Africa, as we celebrate 50 million books shipped to Africa! Travel along with our 50 millionth book, “Kofi Loves Music,” as it makes its journey over land and sea, from Minnesota to Ghana.

Books For Africa — a St. Paul nonprofit founded in 1988 that is the largest shipper of donated library and textbooks to the African continent — this month will mark its 50 millionth book sent.