Print&donate children’s books to schools in Congo

Aim

To print multiple children’s picture books about Democratic Republic of Congo and donate them to schools across Eastern DRC.

Who am I?

My name is Meera and I have been working within the education sector since 2011. I am based out in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and I have started to write my own children’s picture books. My ultimate goal is to print books that are more relatable to the local children, work with Congolese authors/illustrators and promote literacy. 

I have finished writing 3 picture books and I am finalising them with the illustrators and printers. I am looking to print and donate them in March 2022.

Why DRC?

• According to Africa News (Nov 2021), government schools are shut once again not because of Covid but because teachers are on strike due to not being paid enough. Children have been out of school for months over the last eighteen months. There is no date when these schools will reopen. Primary and secondary school children attending these schools are at home with little or no books, resources, or home learning. 
• According to the World Bank in 2018, 73% of the population live on less than $1.90 a day. Majority of people have to spend money on food, water, sanitation and health. They have no choice but to spend very little money on books or education.  
• There are very few children’s books available to buy or to read in schools, libraries, or shops. Majority of books in Eastern Congo were donated by Canada, USA and Europe. 
• I have volunteered in a local primary school in Goma, Eastern DRC and visited the few libraries available. The problem here is the serious lack of books and variety. The books include no diversity. Children here have no connection or familiarity with European foods, lifestyle and culture. All children should be given the opportunity to read books about other countries as well as their own: stories, foods, clothes, languages and activities that are familiar to them. This will help promote a love for books and a reading culture within the community.
• The majority of books that are written about DRC are written by non-Congolese people. Congolese people should be given the opportunity to write down about their rich culture and past. There needs to be more job opportunities available for arts, education and literature. 
• Most of the stories we hear about Congo is negative: conflict, poverty etc.  In 2019, 46% of the country’s population is under 15 years old (according to Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.) The next generation need to hear more positive things about their own country.

Book titles:

• Wonders of Congo (a picture book about a young girl travelling across Congo and visiting the beautiful parts of the country)
• Kakule and his ears (a picture book about Congolese drums and a boy’s love for music)
• Counting in the Congo (a picture book aimed at pre school children to help them learn their numbers alongside learning about the wonderful animals and things within Congo)
• ABC Congo (a picture book that uses the alphabet to explore DRC)

How will this money be spent?

• All of the money raised will be used to donate hundreds of books to local schools/libraries across Eastern Congo. I need to print (8 inches by 8 inches coloured book). This costs approx £300 per 100 copies.
• Shipping and custom duties. 
• I have worked with a self taught Congolese painter Thierry who has hand drawn pictures for the stories. And another artist who has digitised each drawing (added colour and ensured they are printable). I will be funding this myself.
• I need to translate the books into French as this is the official language in DRC. I am hoping to source this for free! 

Future 

• The aim is to work with more local illustrators and writers from all over the world. The goal is to share wonderful stories and promote all cultures 
• Hold workshops in DRC for local writers and illustrators to develop their skills. 
• Give lessons from experts that can teach children’s book writing skills to the youth
• Donate these books to schools across the entire DRC
• I have started writing my next set of books: maths in Congo, activities for early years children (using local resources) and Geography in Congo 

 Your help:

I will be contributing myself but the more funding I receive the more books I can print and donate to schools. Your support could provide a class with their own books about their own country and culture. Your support could encourage literacy around the world. Your support could make a child smile. Please help us achieve this :)

This project successfully funded on 11th February 2022