© Loliwe Phiri
Book Aid International
A book might seem like a small thing when set against the scale of inequality in the world. Yet every day we see how access to relevant books creates positive change. Books help learning flourish. They open doors. They renew hope. They build confidence.
Book Aid International sends around one million brand‑new books each year to communities around the world — libraries, schools, universities, refugee camps, hospitals, and prisons. Every title is carefully chosen based on what local partners say their readers need.
In addition to providing books, Book Aid International also works with partners to create welcoming reading spaces in schools, libraries and communities. These projects and programs include book donations, grants to refurbish spaces and purchase nationally published books as well as training for teachers and librarians to support children’s reading.
The result: more readers, stronger communities, and futures transformed — one book at a time.
Tamala reading with a pupil at Msuzi CCAP Day Secondary School
© Loliwe Phiri
Sparking a love of reading
Tamala teaches the youngest children at a rural school in Zambia. Thanks to donations of books, she is able to help them learn to read for pleasure.
It made such a difference when picture books arrived. This wonderful gift to our school library left the children wide-eyed.
Tamala, teacher, Zambia
Tanaka atthe Edward Ndlovu Memorial Library
© KB Mpofu
The Key to Academic Success
In Tanaka’s community access to educational resources is limited. But donated books meant he was able to access the information he needed at his local community library.
Books gave me the information, knowledge and skills I needed to do well in high school.
Tanaka, student, Zimbabwe
Peace with a young reader
at Dzaleka Camp library
© ThokoChikondi
Supporting refugee education
Peace is a librarian at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp library, Malawi. Thanks to book donations, the children and young people who live in the camp can use the library to continue their education
The biggest challenge the children and families here at Dzaleka face is attaining a proper education. These books are life changing.
Peace, librarian, Malawi
Impact since 2016
1,941
School libraries created
4,333
Teachers and librarians trained
252,998
Nationally published books purchased
21.2 m
Readers reached in an average year
10,900,157
Books provided
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Friends of Talem is a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN:41-3909623). Donations made through this website are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by U.S. law. Friends of Talem operates as a Charitable Fundraising Platform, (California Attorney General Registration No. PL0000229). Your donation is made to Friends of Talem, as fiscal sponsor, not directly to the foreign charity you have chosen. Friends of Talem retains exclusive discretion and control over all donated funds, as required by US law. Friends of Talem will disburse donated funds to the foreign charity you have chosen, within 60 days, provided the organization remains legally eligible. Friends of Talem will conduct Expenditure Responsibility to ensure compliance with IRS rules for international grants. If your chosen charity becomes ineligible, Friends of Talem will contact you. Friends of Talem charges no fees to donors or recipients, except digital payment processing fees. Friends of Talem may share your name and contact information with the foreign charity unless you choose to donate anonymously. Donations are non-refundable after disbursement to the foreign charity. Contact talemfoundation@gmail.com for questions. More details can be found in our Terms of Service, including our Data Privacy Policy.