Newsletter #4, August 2016

FIRST ISSUE IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS ABOUT RAISING FUNDS!

We reported in the July Newsletter that Books for Lesotho Inc. has been endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). This approval allows donors to claim their contributions of $2 or more as a tax-deduction. We are pleased to advise that several donors have already availed themselves of this opportunity.

We also advised that we were applying to Give Now in order to be able to offer an on-line credit/debit card payment service for either single donations or regular monthly donations. We invite YOU TO USE THIS SERVICE NOW by clicking on the link alongside. Other options to donate are detailed later in this newsletter

Our budget to cover packing and freight costs for Shipment #10 to be sent later this year is $5,081. To date we have collected, or had promised, a total of $2,800.

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We invite you to donate now! JUST CLICK THE BUTTON ABOVE!

GOOD NEWS! FIRST SCHOOL IN SA TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT BOOKS FOR LESOTHO

During August, Year 12 social studies students at The Heights School (R to Y12), Modbury Heights in South Australia have sponsored a project to collect books in support of the project. They found us via an internet search! We congratulate the students for making this choice and putting in the effort. You are the FIRST SCHOOL in South Australia to conduct a book drive for us. More details next newsletter.

WE URGENTLY NEED A SUPPLY OF TENNIS BALLS!

Why? If you have ever tried to pack books of every imaginable size and shape into a box and maximise the number of books in the available space, you will know that it is a difficult task. We use very small books (and packages of sharpened used pencils) to fill spaces between books, but it is inevitable that small spaces are left. We consider this a waste as freight by ship is charged by space and not weight. What do we need to fill some of these small spaces? TENNIS BALLS!! Donations are welcome.

NEWS FROM LESOTHO

“The heaviest snow in two decades blanketed Lesotho in late July 2016. The storm prompted the airlifts of at least eight tourists, and caused the deaths of several shepherds …, according to news reports. It was the heaviest snow since 1996, said Stefan Grab, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa). Twenty years ago, the snow would have lasted as long as a week in places. This year, he said, snow at altitudes at or below 1800 meters (roughly 5,900 feet) melted within a day or two.”

Image and quote credit – Link to Earth Observatory

SHIPMENT FOR 2016

The annual shipment for 2016 is the first under the Books for Lesotho Inc. name. The first pallet of 15 boxes was packed in April at our partners, South Pacific School Aid. In our “shed”, we have packed 2 more pallets, i.e. another 30 boxes. We have 3 more pallets to go which when combined with the pallet expected from our friends in Melbourne will make up the shipment of 7 pallets – due to go before Christmas.

This is the last shipment of the second 5-year cycle of distributions by Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), our partner in Lesotho. Next year TRC will select a new group to start libraries in their schools.

The books are due to be distributed to schools in Lesotho during March 2017. Two of our Board members, David and Liz, expect to be present at the ceremony.

DEVELOPING OUR COMMUNITY AND DIGITAL PRESENCE

Board Member, Niav, is a natural at developing our website. If you have not visited and seen her work and more importantly read the latest information about the project, please do so. Also, “Like Us” on Facebook.

The latest digital development is the service “DonateNow”. It is operated by www.OurCommunity.com.au. You can use a debit or credit card to make one-off or regular monthly donations which are immediately receipted. Please use the button at the top of this newsletter.

PLAN FOR AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS

We have prepared materials suitable for use in those schools that elect to conduct a book drive in support of the project. We also invite financial support based on the costs of getting the donated books to Lesotho. The first school in SA to take up this idea is The Heights School – as reported above.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?

GIVE BOOKS – We are accepting fiction and non-fiction books (new or used – but only in good condition) suitable for first readers up to Year 12 level. Look here for detailed Information: WE NEED

DONATE – To our bank account: Books for Lesotho Inc. at Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia), BSB 035-044  Account No: 228285. Please include your organisation or family name with the transfer and also advise us by email. (Please use “GIVENOW” in preference to bank transfer.)

SPACEThis will be an urgent issue by year-end. We are looking for a home – at a minimum of 12m x 20m but with some special access needs. Please make contact with us if you can help, even with an idea!

SPECIAL APPEAL – do you have access to a source of tennis balls? We can use them for filling spaces and the kids in Lesotho love them!!

 

Sincerely,
The Board, Books For Lesotho Inc.