Million Books expands nationwide donations to Gambian schools
In a continued effort to promote literacy and educational access, Million Books for The Gambia [Books For Africa], a non-profit organisation dedicated to donating free books to schools, has delivered another 40-foot container filled with educational materials to institutions across the country.
The latest distribution, held on Thursday at a lively ceremony in Kombo Kerewan, saw books ranging from novels, encyclopaedias, law texts, mathematics, and literature handed over to 20 schools. Beneficiaries included senior secondary, upper basic, lower basic, and early childhood development institutions.
Alhagie Musa Mendy, veteran educationist and national coordinator of the initiative, traced the origins of the project to Lang Dibba, a Gambian based in the United States, who connected with Books for Africa Executive Director Patrick Plonski. Plonski, known for collecting books across the US and distributing them to underserved communities in Africa, agreed to include The Gambia in the initiative over a decade ago.
“Since its inception, we’ve surpassed our goal of distributing over one million books nationwide,” Mendy revealed. “What began in Banjul has now reached every region in the country.”
Initially focused on schools in the capital, the project has grown into a nationwide movement, with support from former Banjul Mayor Samba Faal. Mendy expressed gratitude to all contributors, especially Patrick Plonski and Lang Dibba, whom he described as “a patriotic son of the soil.”
Representing the beneficiary schools, Mr Majabou Gaye, Principal of Kanifing South Senior Secondary School, and Mrs Pratt of Stepping Stone ECD & LBS, thanked the donors for their generosity.
“Schools are the world’s greatest factories, and teachers are the machines. But machines need fuel, and that fuel is books,” Mr Gaye said. “We are deeply grateful and committed to putting these resources to good use.”
Beyond books, the organisation has also provided laptops, computers, and bicycles to support students in remote areas. Mendy highlighted a past donation of over 1,000 bicycles to Nusrat Senior Secondary School and computers to Armitage and the University of The Gambia, facilitated through Gambian-American philanthropist Tony Sanneh.
In conclusion, Mendy extended appreciation to the Honourable Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Habibatou Drammeh, for her guidance and support in sustaining the initiative.