I am a passionate librarian and information professional dedicated to expanding access to knowledge, promoting literacy, and strengthening library services, particularly in underserved communities. Since beginning my career in 1986, I’ve gained rich and diverse experience across Ethiopia, serving in school, college, and university libraries. 

At Hawassa University, I lead community outreach programs related to libraries, foster international partnerships, and advocate for equitable access to information and education. I believe deeply in the transformative power of libraries to empower individuals, bridge knowledge gaps, and build brighter futures. 

This partnership with Book Aid International, initiated in 2020, is far more than just a book donation initiative – it is a transformative movement that is reshaping education and literacy in underserved communities.

Through our collaboration, particularly through our outreach programs, we are bridging educational gaps, fostering lifelong learning, and cultivating a more literate and informed society. 

Since the inception of this partnership, Book Aid International has generously donated nearly 9,000 brand-new educational and reference books, valued at approximately ETB 25 million (around GBP £350,000). 30% of these books have strengthened the university’s libraries, while 70% have reached public schools, prison libraries, health colleges and technical and vocational education and training institutions across the Sidama region.

Through this ongoing collaboration, Hawassa University continues to promote literacy, expand access to knowledge, and empower underserved communities—further demonstrating our shared commitment to educational equity and transformation.

Our partnership with Book Aid International focuses on donating high-quality brand new books to support higher education, TVET colleges, schools, public, prison, community libraries, and marginalized groups in Ethiopia’s Sidama region. Through this initiative, we distribute books both within the university (in-reach) and beyond the university (outreach) to health colleges, schools, vocational institutions, prisons, and community centers. The partnership also strengthens library services, literacy initiatives, and access to information. 

The partnership with Book Aid International has had a profound impact not only on Hawassa University but also on the wider community we serve, particularly through our outreach programmmes. It has truly been a transformative journey — enhancing access to quality books, supporting learning, and inspiring hope in underserved areas. 

Before this partnership, primary and secondary school libraries across the Sidama region faced major challenges due to a lack of books and learning materials. Through the Book Aid International-Hawassa University Partnership Project, we have been able to: 

• Enhance the library collections at Hawassa University, while also expanding the distribution of books far beyond the university walls, reaching local communities across the region. 

• Strengthen literacy initiatives in schools and rural areas, improving educational opportunities. 

• Provide books to marginalized groups, including prisoners, ensuring access to education in even the most difficult circumstances. 

The best thing about this partnership is that it directly changes lives. Every book donated opens a door to knowledge, opportunity, and self-improvement.

Seeing students, educators, community members and prisoners gain access to books they wouldn’t have otherwise is incredibly rewarding. The partnership also promotes sustainability, as donated books continue to serve multiple generations of readers. 

One challenge is logistics and distribution—ensuring that books reach the right people efficiently. Ethiopia’s vast geography and limited infrastructure in rural areas sometimes make distribution difficult. However, with strong community engagement and support, we are continuously working to overcome these barriers and maximize impact. 

Books are tools of empowerment. They give people the power to think critically, gain knowledge, and improve their circumstances. In Sidama region, where access to books is often limited, these donations bridge the education gap, inspire young minds, and create pathways for a better future. 

It is clear that print books remain essential and important, even as online resources are increasingly utilized, though their use is limited by infrastructure challenges. Many students still depend on physical books for their studies. Key challenges include limited access to learning resources, the digital divide, and low literacy rates in some rural areas. However, what’s truly encouraging is the community’s strong thirst for knowledge and deep cultural value for education, which makes the impact of book donations even more profound and meaningful. 

My hope is to see universal access to books and information across the Sidama region. I envision well-equipped libraries in every school and community, where young people and lifelong learners can expand their knowledge and opportunities. 

Our partnership with Book Aid International has been instrumental in expanding access to books, fostering literacy, and empowering communities through education. 

Moving forward, we aim to strengthen this collaboration, explore new opportunities for resource expansion, implement information literacy initiatives, and support training or capacity-building programs for teachers and librarians. We also seek to further enhance the role of libraries as hubs of knowledge and innovation—particularly in Sidama region secondary schools. Through continued efforts and strategic partnerships, we remain committed to bridging educational gaps and transforming lives through the power of books and learning.