My name is Elias Mebratu and I am attempting to raise funds to send hundreds of books to libraries throughout Ethiopia.

Literacy is foundation for education, creativity, critical thinking, entrepreneurship and opportunity. However, by the most recent figures available, in all of Ethiopia, there are about 249 public library points (branches or library outlets) to serve a population of more than 130 million people. This is about one library for every 522,000 citizens of the nation. Many of these libraries are woefully deficient in books, materials, resources and staff to effectively serve their communities.

Often, it is not that students in Ethiopia are unable or unwilling to attain their potential, but rather that they lack such resources and support to do so. For one book could provide the keys to knowledge, confidence, creativity and future.

It is my aim to bridge this gap by donating and providing hundreds of useful educational, children’s, inspirational, entrepreneurship, critical thinking type of books to public libraries, schools, and local reading spaces all over Ethiopia.

On the average, $5 will buy one book so that a small donation will have a broad, permanent effect. Every little bit put into this fund will help put more books into the hands of students and readers, who need them most.

This will not be a one-time project, for, according to the success of this fundraiser, it is my plan to continue sending books on a regular basis, and expand support to more libraries and further communities all over the land.

Together, we can advance knowledge, one library at a time, and learning, inspiration and hope for thousands of young readers the land over.

Thank you for supporting literacy, education and hope for the coming generation! ❤️