The Dream Continues

Books to Africa: Year Three

IMG_0113c

In  September 2012 when my students and I began our Books to Africa project,  their dream was to help other kids. They wanted to matter and make a difference by sharing books. They love to read and wanted to make sure that other kids had the chance to be readers just like them, no matter where they live in the world.

1920452_10203078945391640_1596315014_n (2)

 

That was the dream. We didn’t know exactly how things would work out, but we hoped they would. That’s where our partner schools came in. They made the magic happen in ways we couldn’t imagine.

106_4785 Phuti

Who can believe that it’s been three years since we began our Books to Africa program? From the first Dream Team crew to now, each year the program has grown and evolved in different ways. We now have all the K-5 students participating, raising more money, sending more books and ultimately helping our partners in Ghana, Lesotho and South Africa! The first year our goal was to raise $1,000. The second year we totaled about $1800.  I am excited to announce that this year we have raised over…

$2,000

With this money, we will be able to send about 24 boxes of books overseas. I am so proud of the efforts of our students! I know there are some excited children waiting for the boxes to arrive too!

A couple years ago, I was listening to a book on tape and the speaker was talking about planting seeds, except she wasn’t referring to plants, but rather the seeds of ideas. She asked her audience, “What seeds did you plant today?” She explained that often we have no idea how the seeds we have planted have affected others. Her point reminded me of our literacy project and the reading seeds we have planted in different parts of the world.

SAM_1600

When our original team brainstormed the slogan: “Every Child Deserves a Book”  they believed that where you live shouldn’t determine what resources are available to you. Kids here are just like kids in other parts of the world. Books open up a world. They plant a garden of knowledge. They can change the educational course of a child’s life. Here is a video clip from Pula Madibogo Primary School in Sovenga, South Africa. The children wrote a song and recorded it for our students. It’s a great reminder that the actions we take do matter to other people, even when they live on the other side of the world.

1964472_584965494942230_1097720030_n 10716058_584965508275562_1165064827_n

We have had numerous fundraisers since January including Friday Fun Night, Multicultural Night and Lollygrams. Many other people donated money for postage, including a very special group of my friends who don’t even have children at our school. A special shout out to my “Girls Club” friends for your belief that all children should not only have the right to read, but also have the materials they need.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

3 thoughts on “The Dream Continues

  1. Hello Bell Bulldogs!
    I am so proud of this amazing project and your efforts to help kids read around the world! You inspire me to share what I can with others too. Mrs. Hembree, congrats on another great BTA project. You’re awesome!
    Sending love from Muscat, Oman.
    Mrs. Adair

    • Dear Mrs. Adair,
      It’s so fabulous to hear from you! One of your former students was just saying the other day how she missed you. This project has been very special as you know. The 3rd graders who were involved from the very beginning are now going to graduate in June. However, there are some younger students who will keep the project going (I hope!)
      It rained today! I know you are probably laughing, but we haven’t had much rain all winter. Can you imagine a sunny Seattle Winter? Do you miss the rain? My guess is that there isn’t much in Muscat.
      We miss you (especially me),
      Teach those children well!
      Mrs. Hembree

  2. Dear Mrs Hembree,
    Wow I with Mrs Adair what an amazing lady you are. You sure are one very special lady. So much giving and wanting to share the gift not only with your children at your school but to other children.

    You sure do inspire me too of wanting to make a difference. Mrs Hembree your really have left your mark all the way down under in Australia.
    Keep you your amazing work. You are always in my thoughts.

    Take care from your number one fan down under,
    AA 🙂

Leave a Reply to aa Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *