To the London Review of Books Bookshop last night for a event to launch Book Aid International's new strategic framework. The event was hosted by author Sebastian Faulks, and with Julian Fellowes spotted in the audience amongst a large turn out of publishers, librarians and BAI supporters,we were guaranteed an interesting evening.
The new strategy has three main elements: Supporting public, community and educational libraries; Supporting organisations working in development and human rights; and Supporting improvements to the quality of primary education in sub-Saharan Africa.
This is an ambitious increase to BAI's activities, particularly the move into supporting primary education and Director Clive Nettleton confirmed it will require the organisation to raise £5 million over the next three years. So they are working hard to find funding from all manner of sources (remember Government funding stopped last year).
Which makes it all the more important to join the excellent 'reverse book club' - pay £5 for four books which get sent to someone else who will really benefit from them!
What was really moving at the event was hearing the words of African children, beneficiaries of BAI's work, spoken by London schoolchildren - explaining how books really have changed their lives.
All in all a very inspiring event, and a reminder why organisations like BAI really do matter.
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