Gardens Of Hope For Africa
Books For Africa is excited to announce a new partnership with the San José State University School of Information to help expand access to books, libraries, and educational resources across Africa.
As part of this partnership, SJSU School of Information is supporting a fundraising effort to fund three containers of books—one bound for Kenya, one for Nigeria, and one for Ghana. Together, these shipments will help put thousands of books into the hands of students, educators, families, and communities across the three countries.
The fundraising effort will be highlighted during Gardens of Hope for Africa, an intimate gathering taking place Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 12:00–2:00 p.m. PT at Pegasus Gardens in Marin County, California.
Nourishing the Mind Through Books
Hosted by Books For Africa Executive Director Patrick Plonski, PhD, Gardens of Hope for Africa brings together African leaders, library and education experts, philanthropists, and community partners around a shared vision: creating stronger, healthier, and more prosperous communities through access to food, books, education, and opportunity.
The event will feature remarks from H.E. Ambassador Constância Gaspar, African Union Ambassador to the United States, and Heidi Kühn, Founder and CEO of PAX AGRICULTURA, Founder of Roots of Peace and 2023 World Food Prize Laureate.
The event's theme, “Food + Books + Opportunity: Building the Foundations for Peace,” reflects the connection between food security and reading security. When communities have access to both the resources they need to thrive and the knowledge they need to learn and grow, children and families are better positioned to build brighter futures.
Three Containers. Three Countries. Thousands of Opportunities.
Through its partnership with Books For Africa, the SJSU School of Information is helping make a direct and tangible impact by fundraising for three book containers:
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Ghana
Each container represents far more than boxes of books. These shipments can help establish and strengthen libraries, support schools and educators, provide children with opportunities to develop a love of reading, and increase access to information for entire communities.
The partnership is a natural fit for SJSU's School of Information, where the importance of libraries, information access, education, and knowledge-sharing is central to preparing the next generation of information professionals.
Building Global Book Ecosystems
Books For Africa's work extends beyond simply shipping books. Through partnerships with communities and organizations across the continent, donated books help build sustainable reading ecosystems that connect people with libraries, schools, home libraries, and educational opportunities.
The goal is simple but powerful: access to books can lead to educated children, thriving communities, and greater opportunity.
The SJSU School of Information's support of the Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana shipments demonstrates how universities can become powerful partners in creating these global connections.
A Global Partnership for a Better Future
Gardens of Hope for Africa will feature a moderated global conversation with African and international leaders, Books For Africa's impact and call to action, networking in the gardens, and opportunities for attendees to support the organization's mission.
The event is being presented by PAX AGRICULTURA and Books For Africa, with global partners and co-hosts coming together to support stronger communities across Africa.
For SJSU and Books For Africa, the partnership represents a shared commitment to ensuring that access to information is not limited by geography.
Every book shipped is an opportunity to learn.
Every library built is an opportunity to dream.
And every community with access to knowledge has greater opportunity to shape its own future.
Help Send Three Containers to Africa
The SJSU School of Information's goal is to help fund three containers of books for Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Community members, alumni, educators, librarians, philanthropists, and supporters are invited to join this effort and help Books For Africa continue its mission of ending the book famine in Africa.
Together, we can nourish the mind, cultivate opportunity, and help build a more peaceful and prosperous future—one book and one container at a time.
Gardens of Hope for Africa
📅 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
⏰ 12:00–2:00 p.m. PT
📍 Pegasus Gardens, Marin County, California
🎟️ Tickets: $500 per person
🌎 In-person • Virtual • Global Livestream
Learn more, RSVP, purchase tickets, or explore sponsorship opportunities:
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