Mustafe Osman Abdi runs a very special library for remote communities in Somaliland every book is transported by camel. The deliveries made by Abdis friend are part of the 1,235,950 brand-new books that were sent to communities in need by UK charity Book Aid International during 2023.
Book Aids CEO Alison Tweed said: The determination of Mustafe, who packed books onto the backs of camels to get them to pastoral communities in Somaliland despite the devastating effects of the drought which gripped the Horn of Africa all year was among efforts that stood out for me.
2023 has been a challenging year for so many people around the world: whether coping with the cost-of-living crisis, catching up with missed education post Covid, or living with conflict.
In all these very challenging situations books provide escape, opportunity, humanity, a connection to all that is good in life. We hear from our partners every day what an extraordinary difference a book can make to a child, a medical patient, a prisoner, a refugee. Wherever we go, we see the power of books to improve and change lives.
Last year, with your support, we were able to send over 1,235,950 brand-new books, carefully selected to meet our partners needs, to 22 countries. We are very proud of that achievement, but the real work starts with our amazing partners around the world, who are bringing books to life and changing lives.
She was also pleased by the charitys work in Ukraine where it sent 25,000 books to its partner PEN International in Ukraine, to help them support libraries impacted by the ongoing war.