First book delivery to Namibia

ABCA’s first shipment to Namibia took some trials and tribulations but finally arrived at Bernhard Nordkamp Centre in Namibia at the beginning of the year.

Bertha Tobias, grandmother and author from Australia visited Namibia last year where she met MaryBeth Gallagher, Director of Bernhard Nordkamp Centre (BNC) Educational After School Programme.

Bertha wrote to us asking for picture books simply saying MaryBeth gives them hope and practical assistance which is the core tenet of ABCA.

MaryBeth explained that very chance she gets, she asks anyone coming from an English-speaking country to bring books for the children.  It is the one thing that they cannot get in Namibia.  Books are expensive in Namibia and there is not the expanse of early-to-read books readily available.

The BNC has about 170 children in grades 0 to 7 (ages 5 to 13) and asked for phonics books, easy to read books and read aloud books.  Namibia has 17 official languages and although English was declared the "national language" when they got their independence 30+ years ago, it is not the mother tongue of anyone and the children struggle to read and write. 

MaryBeth said the children do not have access to books in their morning schools, where they are often beaten with sticks and rulers and told they are stupid and lazy because they cannot read.  This is a nightmare for those trying to support the children and convince them that reading is FUN!!!  In an attempt to undo all the damage that is going on in the mornings, the BNC exposes the children to a joyful and positive atmosphere were they have access to a variety of books that are captivating and stimulating.

Once we worked out the logistics and managed to secure a sponsor for the couriering costs to Namibia the books were on their way.

This is what MaryBeth wrote to us:

We are delighted with the books!!!!! 🥰😍😘 I just stopped my lesson mid-sentence and we opened up the first box and just read the books for the next hour!!! This is a very happy day!!!!

Then:

The books still have not made it out of my classroom because my kids are LOVING them!!!

My classroom is also the "common room" of the entire centre, so it's fitting that we keep them here for a while because then everyone can enjoy them!!

Please come and visit us some time!! We welcome you with open arms!!! ❤️🥰💖📚❤️🥰💖📚