Ugandan Ambassador hosts annual Books For Africa Summit Society reception in Washington, D.C.

Books For Africa held its annual Summit Society Reception at the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, D.C., hosted by Her Excellency Oliver Wonekha, Ugandan Ambassador to the U.S. and this year's Summit Society Chair.  The event also welcomed His Excellency Garang Diing Akuong, South Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Lt. General Joseph Henry Smith, Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S., and His Excellency Ernest Ndabashinze, Burundi Ambassador to the U.S.  Thomson Reuters, represented by Sharon Sayles-Belton, Vice President, Government Affairs and Community Relations, was the Platinum Sponsor for this event.

A contingent of key Books For Africa donors, staff, board members and other dignitaries rounded out the distiguished crowd in attendance.  A brief program was highlighted by remarks from Ambassador Wonekha, who acknowledged those in attendance and thanked them for their support of the BFA mission to end the African book famine. 

In addition to the Summit Society event, BFA representatives visited the Embassies of Kenya and South Africa, building relaitonships with those Ambassadors that will open doors for new collaborations and advance the discussion on how we can maximize the impact of BFA projects.

We offer our sincere gratitude to those who made this event possible, and to our generous donors, whose support has enabled the shipment of 35 million books to 49 African countries in our 28 year history.

More on the importance of books:  Ambassador Wonheka discusses the importance of books and the impact they have had on her career in this interview with BFA founder Tom Warth. The Ambassador's passionate advocacy for "those that don't have an opportunity to read books" is driven home by this BBC article, which explains that in Uganda, a single book can cost a month's salary for many residents.  Thank you Ambassador for your energy and enthusiasm in support of literacy and education!