Abuja — Over $18 million worth of books and computers have reached African schools through the support of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation since 2010
The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental, philanthropic organization focused on youth employment, widows cooperative, education, healthcare and infrastructural development, is set to deliver a total of 20,000 academic books to five secondary schools, plus a University and a Primary school, in the Bagamoyo region of Tanzania. A celebration of the donation of books is scheduled tomorrow morning. The initiative is part of its continuing effort to promote literacy in the continent of Africa. UNICEF reports Tanzania's total adult literacy rate is 67.8 percent.
Since 2010, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has partnered with Books For Africa, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, to fight illiteracy and promote education. Their combined efforts are aimed at ensuring African schools and libraries – including those in hard to reach communities – are sufficiently equipped with reading materials.
"Our partnership with Books For Africa is paying great dividends and I am happy that we can help provide access to books for as many children as possible in our continent," said Sir Emeka Offor. "Without education, people cannot create their own solution."
So far, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has underwritten the shipment of more than 73 40-foot containers of books and computers to approximately 19 African countries, including Nigeria and Tanzania. The estimated financial value for this logistical effort is estimated at $18 Million.
"Over 99 percent of schools in Tanzania have inadequate or non-existent libraries, which are an essential asset of a school, so we are using the donated books to open a doorway that provides students a chance to explore knowledge," said Charles W. Sloan, Jr., the Manager of Nianjema Secondary School. "The impact of this donation on the lives of these students is immense. It is wonderful that someone from the other side of the African continent can use his time and money to help others so far away in such a dramatic way."
Getting books to some regions in Africa can be fraught with logistical challenges along the delivery route, particularly when it comes to security and hazardous roads. A successful delivery is often a cause for celebration for schools and communities.
"Our school libraries are really lacking books, so this is big for us," said Mr. Sloan.
Books For Africa relies on the generosity of donors, young and old, business entities and publishers who flood their massive warehouse in Atlanta with books that cover all areas and levels of education. In addition, Books For Africa depends on their growing volunteer team to effectively sort and repackage donated materials for onward distribution to African countries. According to Books For Africa, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation is the single largest independent African donor to their organization since the organization's inception.
About the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation
The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation is a philanthropic organization based in Oraifite, Anambra State, Nigeria. The Foundation seeks to alleviate the sufferings of the less privileged through philanthropy, and focuses primarily on giving support and hope to those in need irrespective of tribe, creed, religion and nation. The Foundation has affected the lives of many Nigerians through its domestic programs and projects, which include youth empowerment, Widows Cooperative, education, and health services and infrastructural development. For more information, visit http://sireofforfoundation.org or like us at https://www.facebook.com/siremekaofforfoundation.
