Books for Lesotho

Posted Feb 23, 2021 in News

Books for Lesotho (B4L) is an incorporated non- government not-for-profit organisation set up to provide books for libraries in schools in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a small mountainous country located in the North East of South Africa. B4L was set up by David and Liz Linn to support the dream of a local librarian whom they had met during one of their many visits.

The books are mainly collected from schools and libraries from South Australia and interstate that cull their books regularly. Good quality books are sorted in age groups, packed in boxes (all by volunteers) and sent on pallets via ship and land transport to Lesotho where they are distributed by two organisations: the Transformation Resource Centre (an ecumenical social justice organisation) and the Rotary Club of Maloti.

Since the start of the project in 2007 – 182,389 books have been sent.

David and Liz have visited Lesotho regularly and have seen first-hand the benefits for the children in schools. Recently however they were approached by Mr Matsobane Putsoa, a member of the Rotary Club of Maloti, requesting theology books for the local Morija Theological Seminary, which to quote him ‘belongs to Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa, a Presbyterian denomination, where they train their Pastors and Evangelists.’

The Board of B4L has agreed to this request providing funding for extra costs is obtained. Recently a pallet load of theology books had been gathered ready to pack and send; Tabor College, St Barnabas College and, with the support of Tim Hein and Cheryl McCullum, Malvern Uniting Church, have provided books culled from their libraries. Uniting College is also being approached.

Some internal costs are covered in Lesotho but it costs B4L on average $1,080 plus local costs (VAT and agent fees) of $190 to send each pallet, totally financed by donations. The need to cover the costs of sending the pallet of books, budgeted to be $1,270 remains.

If you would like to donate, either books or money, please visit the Books for Lesotho website at this link: www.booksforlesotho.org

The full story of Books for Lesotho can also be followed via their website.

Contact details:
Books for Lesotho Inc.
Phone: (+61) 0418 877 112
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