As far as I am concerned there are two types of lessons in scouting: those learned by reading a raggedy, outdated copy of the Scout Handbook (tying square knots, treating snake bites, avoiding child molesters) and those learned by experience (how to prevent catastrophic cabin combustion/putting out an oil fire, not to spit off random balconies and onto angry Chinese tourists below, along with plenty of other important stuff).
Ever since the beginning of Boy Scouts, I always knew that I wanted to do something that I was personally connected to for my Eagle Project. However, as the trip neared and all hell broke loose in the Sharples house, the temptation to just check the box began tantalizing me. I called my loving godmother Erin, who does tons of volunteer work in Tanzania, for some help and suggestions on what to do. When I hung up that phone call, I had way more than just one box to check. There were people to call, stacks of paper to fill out, and above all, an entire school of African orphans counting on a brand-new library by Christmas.
As my work towards the project progressed and my empathy for the Boabab Home (whom I would be helping out) grew exponentially, the unchecked boxes began fluctuating into something more than objectives. As my sights narrowed and other priorities slipped away, time began to fly! And as time flew, I still had one irrational phobia: what if people just flat out didn’t donate any books? Of course now I realize how stupid of a thing that was to be afraid of. With all of you guys, yes you: my caring family, friends, parents’ friends, and kindly strangers, what the heck was I worrying about? Thanks to all of your generous donations we surpassed the at-first ambitious goal of 1,000 books!
Five boxes of brand-spankin’-new leveled readers and other pristine picture books from Island Books just arrived to the Boabab Home and to say the least, the beneficiary was ecstatic. Here is an excerpt from an email she sent me after arriving at the US embassy and picking up the new books.
“Yesterday I picked up the books in Dar and had a nice big joyful cry just as we pulled away from the Embassy. What you have done is truly going to be life-changing for our kids. You know, when you said ‘book drive’ a few months ago I was envisioning cast offs. And there’s nothing wrong with that. We’ve had some great donations from libraries when they clean their shelves, but books are used and often outdated. You should have seen me yesterday ripping the boxes open and reading all the way home… brand new, relevant, fascinating high quality books!!! Lauren was so happy with all the leveled readers! As the Director I thank you on behalf of all of our kids and as a Mom I thank you for feeding my son’s growing love of reading. I know the kids will love having you here. Karibuni!!”
Although nobody can write thank you’s like Terri, I just have to say: “Thank you so much!” Through Island Books we raised 5 bulky boxes totaling to a whopping 120 pounds of 305 “brand new, relevant, fascinating, high quality books!!!” And if that just doesn’t quite quench your craving for contribution, we also gave a local bookstore, which is currently getting railed by colossal companies like Amazon, some great, valuable business. Go local bookstores!
If Terri is that pleased with those books, just think about the other 2/3rds! We scored with about 600 more donated books from more insanely generous family members, friends, and Ms.Ottesen along with the Lakeridge Elementary Library! Move over Gates and Buffett, there is a new philanthropist in town!
Also a special thanks to Kaarina, Cole, and John who helped pack and ship everything! Great work guys! I’m a complete spaz and sent the email out at the last minute so you always had the excuses, “Sorry I already made plans!” or “Didn’t see this email until afterwards Sorry!” Instead you guys did me a total solid and came. (There is probably a better way to put that, but bottom line: all of you rock!)
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Whether they are new-books or old-books, books are books, and if you throw a bunch of books together what do you get? A library. A slightly shoddy, but intellectual and robust library. A life-enriching place where you can ask any question and find all the answers! Josh Harnegane, author of “The World’s Strongest Librarian“, wrote, “To see the value in a library, ignore the adults. Find an inquisitive child who doesn’t have an iPhone yet, take them to the library, and tell them that they can learn anything they want there.” Do you know of any kids that live in the Baobab Home all the way down in Bagamayo, Tanzania that own an iPhone? I can’t think of a better place for our library.
PS: If you are so inclined and Terri’s email inspired you just as much as it did me. We are going to do one more shipment because the Boabab Home could always use one more book. You never know whom that picture book you bought on a dancing cat named Kristy will inspire! Here is the quick and easy donation process.
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