Our impact
Books give people the power to change their lives for the better and create a more equal future. Every year, we offer the opportunity to read to millions.
Supporting the SDGs
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for a better, fairer future – and equal access to information is right at the heart of almost all of them. By sharing the power of books worldwide, we can help turn these goals into a reality. Our Theory of Change outlines how we create access to books around the world.
We have the greatest impact on three SDGs:
SDG 4: Quality education
Books transform learning. They help teachers teach and bring students closer to their lessons. They lift the quality of education forever. That’s why we work with our partners to create and support school libraries. Since 2017, we’ve established 986 brand new libraries.
We also train teachers and librarians to feel more confident running libraries so that they can use books to enrich their classroom lessons and fire children’s imaginations. We’ve trained 3,225 teachers and librarians since 2017.
By helping to improve education, we also help people to break the cycle of poverty – that’s SDG 1 – and reduce inequality – SDG 10.
SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
In many communities where we work, there are not enough doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and those who are practising struggle to access up-to-date information.
Every year, we provide tens of thousands of specialist medical books, so students and experienced medics can build their skills and provide the highest level of care.
Since 2016, we’ve provided medical books worldwide
SDG 5: Gender equality
Reading books by and about female role models can help girls see themselves and their world in a whole new light. It can break down stereotypes and open up possibilities.
So, as well as providing carefully selected books to encourage and inspire girls, we include gender issues in our training for partners and we actively seek out partners who focus on gender issues.
We are especially conscious of the needs of women who have been displaced or who live with conflict.
Impact stories
Enjoying fine stories
Veronica loves to read whenever she can, but she also knows that reading can be the key to a brighter future.
Reading day and night
The more Dalitso reads the better he does at school. Here he tells us how greater access to books is helping him with his education.
Books to build a brighter future
During the worst of the Liberian civil war Yvonne set up the WE-CARE library to provide a space for children to read and learn. This is her story.
Creating the next generation of readers
Gifty is a teacher in rural Ghana. Having the right kind of books empowers her to create the next generation of readers.
Supporting girls’ education with books
Girls like Fabiola face huge challenges to gaining an education – but with books, she is making her dreams a reality. Read her story.
Books building dreams
20 year old Ugbaad is studying for her first degree, and she’s fallen in love with reading at her local library. This is her story.
Hope for his daughter’s future
Parents like Davidson are seeing how books can transform their children’s education, opening doors for the future. This is his story.
Helping Justin become a lawyer
Justin is a refugee with ambitions plans. Find out how books are helping him make his dream a reality.
A better life through books
Sharon grew up in an informal community at the edge of Nairobi. Despite the challenges she faced, she knows the power books and perseverance can truly have.
More about us
How we select and send books
We work with partners to make sure books that will have the biggest impact go where they are needed most.
Read moreOur mission and vision
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.
Read more