Books give people power
Books transform how people see themselves and the world around them. But millions of people live without books. We’re here to change that.
We see the power of books every day.
It’s a new library opening in a school that’s never had one. It’s a midwife using the latest medical textbook to save a baby’s life. It’s a family escaping into a story after being forced to flee their home.
It’s a path to a more equal future.
A single book can transform dozens of lives – offering joy, inspiration and hope. It can be taken anywhere, without Wi-Fi or a charger. Wherever you are in the world, a book can fire you up to work for a better tomorrow.
Books give people power – so we work every day to create a world where everyone has access to books.
How do books help people create a more equal future?
A book might seem like a small thing in the battle against inequality. But we see every day how books can spark a transformation.
Books help learning thrive
Learning changes forever when classrooms and school libraries are fully stocked with brand-new books. Teachers can elevate their lessons. Learning to read becomes much easier. And a very different future feels more achievable.
Books create opportunities
When books are within reach, a world of possibilities opens up. Books unlock new ideas. They help people think in new ways. They reveal new careers and opportunities – and provide the knowledge people need to seize them.
Books restore hope
In the midst of a conflict or the aftermath of a disaster, books provide an invaluable sense of normality. They can help people escape into a story and feel a glimmer of hope – instead of feeling overwhelmed by trauma.
Books inspire confidence
There’s no limit to what you can find in the pages of a book. Self-belief. New ideas. A sense of connection. Books can help people feel more confident and believe their ambitions truly are achievable.
This is the power of books
Books give people the power to build a more equal future. Here are three readers who have done just that.
Edna Adan Ismail in Somaliland
A step at a time, we fight our battles. But without books, we cannot get out of the situation that we are in.
Mayol in Kenya
Some of the books, like novels, give us the knowledge to improve our English, while others – such as the revision books – give us a guideline to understand things easily.
Omar in Syria
I like reading and I like learning new things from books.
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.
Judith in Malawi
I want my daughter to keep on reading her books. I remind her how this is her chance to have a good life.