快猫视频

For children caught in the middle of the 1994 Rwanda genocide that killed over 800,000 people, a book in their hands made a world of difference.聽 For the Rwandan ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, there were instances in her life during the genocide that the few books she could get hold of as she moved between countries as a refugee helped her see the light through the darkness. This was a reality for many, especially children, she said.

It is for that reason why she thanked the hundreds that attended a Friday May 10 luncheon, for their support and commitment to sending books to Africa. Ambassador Mukantabana, who serves as the deputy dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Washington and one of about 30 women that are ambassadors in Washington, was addressing the annual Books for Africa fundraising luncheon.

鈥淚 always say Books for Africa is better than any kind of diplomacy you can build anywhere in the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you bring someone a book it shows you care. It is better than any material good you can bring, give me a book as a gift and I will never forget, as you can always find happiness in a book. One thing that kept me alive as I went from one country to another (as a refugee), was always having a good book with you. It takes you to another universe away from the reality of war.鈥�

The St. Paul, Minn.- based Books for Africa organization has shipped over 60 million donated text books to all African countries since its founding, with over 3 million of those being sent last year. Computers and e-readers are now also routinely sent alongside the text books with 快猫视频 pointing out the donated electronics it sent to the continent in 2023 were loaded with over one million digital books.

鈥淲hen you see those kids jumping, it is because when you see books it鈥檚 like seeing gold,鈥� said Ambassador Mukantabana, referencing a 快猫视频 video showing joyful schoolchildren with boxes of books.

罢丑别听聽reports that 9 out of 10 least literate countries in the world are in the African continent. Only 67% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa can read and write,聽.

The post genocide outlook in Rwanda in terms of education has been one that has trended positive, but Ambassador Mukantabana, who addressed the crowd without written notes, said despite great investments in the sector by her government, more needs to be done and organizations such as Books for Africa are crucial in addressing unmet needs.

鈥淥ne of the choices we have taken is what we call the strategy for transformation which is one of the visions we have for the country, and that strategy places literacy and education at the center and most of our budget is directed at that鈥� she said. 鈥淪o, Books for Africa has been a huge and fundamental, and I would say, critical partner in what we have been trying to do in our country.鈥�

While the organization is known more for the shipment of books and computers for primary, secondary and college institutions, it has another high-profile mission of establishing law libraries Africa. Known as the Law and Democracy Initiative, its inaugural co-chairs were the late U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Thomson Reuters, one of the world鈥檚 largest legal book publishers,聽聽and since its launch has established 147 law libraries in 25 African countries. Books for Africa executive director Mr. Patrick Plonski announced at the luncheon that the American Bar Association (ABA) will be joining Thomson Reuters in sending law books through the initiative.

Mr. Bryan Kay, ABA鈥檚 director for publishing editorial and licensing, was at the luncheon representing his organization. Sitting at the same table with Mr. Kay was Ms. Dana Mitchell, representing the Minnesota Attorney General鈥檚 office. Ms. Mitchell is also the board president at the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers.

Ambassador Mukantabana while extolling the law and democracy initiative shared a light moment to demonstrate how in-demand the law books are, saying 鈥渕y minister of justice said bring them to my office before you take them to the law school.鈥�

In the audience sat Ms. Diane Moukouri, a Twin Cities businesswoman that owns B鈥檅eri Desserts. Ms. Moukouri, who is originally from Cameroon, was attending her first Books for Africa event. She was introduced to the organization during a recent Books for Africa warehouse visit by Zambia鈥檚 ambassador.

鈥淚 learnt during the visit that they do great work sending books and computers to Africa and I made up my mind that I need to get involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 got invited by Mark Ritchie (former Minnesota Secretary of State) to the luncheon and this is my opportunity to learn more.鈥�

Unlike Ms. Moukouri, Mr. Bill Moran can no longer remember the number of times he has been to a Books for Africa event. A Twin Cities attorney, he was first introduced to the organization by his daughter-in-law who is the development director at Books for Africa.

His family has since become big supporters of charities operating in Africa.

鈥淪ince then, we have become big supporters of Books for Africa, and events like this give us an opportunity to learn of the progress it is making in addressing the need for books in the continent,鈥� Mr. Moran said.

The organization said it raised over $170,000 at the luncheon.