Anna touching hearts and changing lives

During our pre-departure class, we were told that we would have to complete and activist project while here in South Africa. Marita encouraged us not to stress out about it, that we really wouldn't have to seek out a special project, it would find us. After having raised nearly $2,000 and equally as many books, for our library in Nyanga, I can attest to that statement. 

A group of about eleven of us traveled to Joseph's school, Sithembele Matiso High in Nyanga, a few weeks ago to talk about the importance of education. On our way out the door, Joseph's teacher Ms. Maloka had us pop our heads into the room designated as the library. The room was being used for storage, piled with extraneous desks and chairs. Disheveled empty bookshelves lined walls of holes and peeling paint. It was then that the idea of “Books for Nyanga” began to form. I along with Allie and Patrick immediately came home and reached out to family and community for support. Many agreed to do some local book drives, not really sure of what would come of it, we blew up our social networking sites, broadcasting different ways to get involved. Now just three weeks later, five truckloads of books are being prepped for shipment to Cape Town. The amount of support that this project has gotten is truly unbelievable. Leaving for South Africa in the wake of the Newtown tragedy and generally feeling a little disgusted with humanity, this has given me hope and in a way restored my sense of faith. Seeing first hand the impact that this library will have on an entire community of people  has made my Cape Town experience. My mother inspired my love for reading at a very young age, books are very near and dear to my heart and I cannot imagine a childhood without them. The way in which our communities have rallied behind us, and the overwhelming number of people that have reached out to us in support has been truly inspiring. I cannot express enough gratitude for those that have contributed in any way, you do not know the extent of the impact that you are having. In the words of FDR as graffitied on a wall in Nyanga not far from Sithembele Matiso,“we cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” 

Anna, Patrick, and Allie with folks from Sithembele Matiso High in Nyanga receiving the first donation of books.

 Like our page on facebook to follow our progress.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-For-Nyanga/162868653868712?fref=ts

If you're interested in contributing you can do so here!
http://www.gofundme.com/booksfornyanga 

Read more about the project at
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/UConn-Students-Donate-Books-to-African-High-School-198503371.html