Books For Africa Meets With Donors, Partners, Congressional Offices, and African Diplomats in Washington, DC

Books For Africa conducted meetings in Washington, DC meeting with a wide range of partners including donors, partner organizations, congressional offices on Capitol Hill, and African diplomats.  BFA Board President Tammie Follett and Executive Director Pat Plonski attended meetings.  BFA is a member of the Minnesota Advisory Board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), and attended the annual USGLC Summit with briefings from a number of U.S. government foreign assistance policy experts. BFA also attended meetings on Capitol Hill to advise lawmakers regarding the impacts of cutbacks in international development programing. 

Additionally, Books For Africa was pleased to be hosted by H.E. Chibamba Kanyama, Zambian Ambassador to the United States, for BFA’s annual Summit Society Reception at the Embassy of Zambia.  Ambassador Kanyama serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Books For Africa Summit Society, which represents BFA’s top donors.  Organizations attending included the Corporate Council on Africa, the World Bank, Libraries for Kids, Christian Relief Services, Superior Textbook Company, and many others.  Ambassadors and diplomats were in attendance from eight countries including Tunisia, Angola, Malawi, Tanzania, Morocco, and Botswana.  Tablets provided courtesy of Merck / MSD loaded with Merck Medical Manuals were distributed to Ambassadors and partners for delivery to doctors, nurses, and medical students across Africa.    

“We were so pleased to have the opportunity to meet with so many key partners, and potential partners, of Books For Africa,” Plonski said.  “Connecting with the right people and organizations is what has allowed BFA to continue to enhance educational opportunities across the African continent."

Click below to check out our Flickr album from the week!