This year the Book Project was 25 years old! Since its incorporation in the District of Columbia in 1983 Book Project volunteers have sent more than 3 million books to schools, libraries and even colleges in developing countries.

While there is cause for celebration, there is also cause for sadness. The standard of education in many developing countries has advanced little since the Book Project was first founded.

Around 16 percent of young people in the 15 – 24 age group are illiterate.

There are 862 million adults and young people world wide that cannot read and write.

98 percent of people who cannot read and write live in developing countries.

The need identified by our founders 25 years ago is as great as ever, and the requests for books still keep coming.

Surprisingly however, the number of request for books reaching us by snail mail has declined and increasingly requests come to us via the internet. Requests for books for elementary and secondary schools dominate, but increasingly we hear from vocational schools and colleges, as well as village libraries serving adult populations wanting to learn to read.

Requests are also coming from former French speaking countries where the administrative language is now English and children and teachers are in need of English texts.

Large shipments have been sent to Ethiopia, Cameroon, Sudan and Ghana. In all instances we have been able to work with reputable NGOs established in country and with connections to Bank members and volunteers. We hope to be able to continue with this model with future large shipments…

To receive our complete report, please call 202- 473- 8960 or send an a-mail at bookprojectwbfn@worldbank.org

Hilary Welch