In Guinea around 75% of the population are illiterate which is a huge block to economic development. Yet in 2017 Guinea will host World Book Capital with the aim of encouraging reading and providing better access to books for all, particularly children - the slogan is "One book one child". A new National Library is being established and community reading points are being set up in the main cities. 

A further problem for Guinea is that few people speak English, which is an essential tool for navigating this global world. English is now on the school curriculum for students aged 15 upwards, but access to English books is almost non-existant. In the picture you see a young Guinean who I found making the most of a quiet spot among the rubbish of Conakry's sadly polluted beaches. By coincidence he was studying from an English text book that was tattered and torn and missing essential pages.

With Books2Africa I hope to be able to provide a selection of English language books to the National Library, to some of the community reading points, and for some schools or universities. All I need is £370 to deliver 1,000 books to Conakry.  I hope that you will help me to do so. 

In the past I've run half marathons but running in 32 degree heat and humidity is another matter altogether and I've decided that 12km is challenge enough for me this time round! Anything that you can offer, no matter how small will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.