Why are books important?
Books change lives from Lesley Pinder on Vimeo.
In sub-Saharan Africa there are 162 million adults who cannot read or write. And nearly 100 million of them are women. In the UK we can buy books on the internet, from bookshops or even the supermarket. Books are relatively cheap and most people have lots of books to read. But, in sub-Saharan Africa, a book can cost a month’s wage and so most people will never own their own book.
Being able to read means that you can make choices in life, play a full part in society and create a bright future for yourself and your family. Some books can transport you to different places through stories and characters and some can help you to learn about health care, farming skills, human rights or about different countries and cultures. Books can teach, enlighten and inspire. This is why books are so important.
Books and schools
Since 2001 the number of children going to school in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by 10 million! This is because many African countries have introduced free primary education after signing the Millennium Development Goals (download Millennium Development Goal information sheet here). But, there are still hardly any books in the schools. Children are either taught without books or have to share in big groups. This makes learning and teaching really hard and often children leave school without being able to read properly.
At Book Aid International we believe that books are essential for gaining a good education. This is why two thirds of the books we send to Africa are for children.
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