Rageh Omaar presents our BBC Radio 4 Appeal
Tune in on 11th or 15th June and hear why Rageh Omaar believes in the power of books.
Rageh knows that books give people power
Hargeisa, the city in Somaliland where Rageh’s family is from, was devastated by war. Today, the people there are rebuilding and at the heart of the city’s recovery is a thriving library. With the support of people like you, we provided 100,000 of the books on its shelves.
Rageh has seen the library rise from the ashes of war, and he always visits when he returns to Hargeisa. He’s seen how its books ignite ambitions, fire imaginations and enrich learning.
But in his work as a journalist he’s also seen how many people still have no books at all.
During the appeal, he’ll share his experiences of seeing Hargeisa’s young people using books to build the futures they want, and tell us why he believes that everyone should have the chance to read.
When to listen
To listen live, tune in to BBC Radio 4 on:
- Sunday 11th June at 7:54am or 9:25pm
- Thursday 15th June at 3:27pm
Get a reminder
Subscribe to our e-news for a reminder just before the appeal airs.
Note that you’ll also be subscribed to regular email updates from us, including occasional appeals.
About our charity
Every year, we provide over one million brand-new books to communities around the world and create new libraries where reading and learning can flourish. You can help us send the next book.
The power of books
Books give people power. They transform how people see themselves and the world around them. But millions of people are forced to live without books. We’re here to change that.
Read moreHow 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 moreListen to the appeal
To listen live, tune in to BBC Radio 4 on:
- Sunday 11th June at 7:54am or 9:25pm
- Thursday 15th June at 3:27pm
You can also listen on demand on BBC sounds. Find more ways to listen
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Why books matter
For readers like Eletina, Tofiro and Ahmed, the books we send are a lifeline.
Eletina in Malawi
If I never had access to books, things would be different
Tofiro in Zimbabwe
We get a lot of assistance from reading books that help us to manage the garden.
Ahmed Makkour in Syria
The cost of a book could be $100. That $100 could be a month’s worth of food for a whole family.
Monica in Ghana
If someone said ‘oh books are not important’ I would tell that person she is out of her mind!
Habiba in Greece
I think the books are very good for me – for my heart.