BLUFFTON, S.C. - s4story -- Libraries for Kids International, a locally based international organization that supplies books to school libraries in Africa, shipped 297,000 books to Kenya in mid-October and sent a shipment of 21,000 books to Uganda this month, said Laura Winkel, chief executive officer, Libraries for Kids International. All told, the organization sent more than 1.4 million total books to Africa from 2020 through 2025, she said.

The books have not yet been delivered in Kenya because school is out of session, but they have been stamped, sorted and are ready for delivery the beginning of January, Winkel said. Deliveries are planned for schools in Elgeyo, Marakwet and Nandi. This month, the organization is partnering with the Global YMCA to ship books to Uganda. To start, books will be sent to schools in Mbale (Eastern Region), Gula (Northern Region), Arua (West Nile Region), Kasese (Southwestern Region) and Kampala (Central Region).

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"I am very pleased with the progress we have made, and I am happy to share that we have over 300,000 books ready to be distributed in early 2026," said H. Roy Austin, founder and board president. "These books will make a lot of kids happy."

"I will never forget a 13‑year‑old student at Mbagha Primary School in southern Kenya who told me that the books 'opened up the world' to him. That is why we do this work, and we will keep going so more children can have that same chance," he said. "Books Open Opportunities 4 Kids," is the trademarked tagline for the Libraries for Kids International.

In its five-year history, Libraries for Kids International has delivered much-needed books to some 10,177 primary schools in parts of Africa. The organization's vision is to send books to rural schools throughout the continent.

Libraries for Kids International will host its annual charity fundraising event April 25, 2026, at Port Royal Sound Foundation. With the theme, "Dreams Under the Serengeti (https://www.libraries4kids.org/events)," the event is in conjunction with World Book Day, an annual global celebration. In addition, the organization hosts monthly author events, which are free, at The Roasting Room, 1297 May River Rd., Bluffton.

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Libraries for Kids International (https://www.libraries4kids.org/) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy and education for children in rural areas of Africa. By shipping books and establishing libraries in schools without access to reading materials, the organization helps students discover the joy of learning and expand their opportunities for the future. Since its founding, Libraries for Kids has delivered over 1.4 million books to underserved communities, empowering teachers and inspiring young readers.