Book drive to benefit needy students in Nigeria
Date: 3/9/2009
By Courtney Llewellyn
Reminder Assistant Editor
LONGMEADOW -- A few years ago, Gabe Mokwuah and his wife traveled to Africa and visited some schools during their stay.
"I saw a blackboard and chalk [in some of the classrooms], and that was it," Mokwuah said. "I don't know if I was more upset or angry that they didn t have books, that there is still a portion of Africa without [basic education supplies]."
That's why Mokwuah, who was born in Nigeria and who emigrated to the United States when he was 12, started Massachusetts Citizens for Africa (MCFA), a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It recycles used educational materials, like books, computers, teaching aids, etc., to needy schools throughout Africa.
"Our goal is to get books for [African] children ages kindergarten through grade 12. There is really a huge need for it," Mokwuah told Reminder Publications.
MCFA will be hosting its first book drive on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Longmeadow Community House, 735 Longmeadow St. They are looking to gather textbooks and general reading books for primary and secondary school children, which will benefit the 257 students enrolled at St. Theresa s Elementary School in Nigeria.
The school was selected based on an application it sent to MCFA. Other schools to benefit from book drives in the future are located in Niger, Senegal and Malawi.
The nascent organization will be gathering books first, Mokwuah explained, and then hosting fundraisers to gather the money needed to ship the books overseas. He said that it costs nearly $300 to ship 40 pounds of books to Nigeria.
Those who cannot attend the book drive, which will feature music provided by DJ Jon O'Neill, are invited to donate what they can at the Greenwood Center, where books are collected year-round for MCFA.
"To me, this is personal," Mokwuah said. "I was born there. I want to make a positive difference. Whatever we can send over is a huge plus."
For more information about MCFA, call Mokwuah at 650-3174 or send an e-mail to
info@massachusettscitizensforafrica.org.
The categories of books needed in Africa are listed by educational level as follows:
• Primary Level Textbooks -- Science, arithmetic, English (grammar, spelling, composition), social studies (world history, geography), music, creative and manual arts, educational games
• Secondary Level Textbooks -- Science (biology, physics, chemistry, geology, etc.), mathematics (algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, etc.), English (grammar, composition, writing skills), literature, social studies (world history, geography), psychology, music, creative and manual arts
• Secondary Level Vocational Textbooks -- Vocational/technical, automotive, construction, carpentry, electricity, masonry, metal work, plumbing, technical drawing, welding, woodworking, business/commercial, accounting, bookkeeping, business English, economics, computer skills, agriculture
• General Reading -- Including literature, fiction and non-fiction library books " children's picture books, juvenile literature, early reader books, textbooks in English, geography, science and math, reference books, books with themes of friendship, animals, school, families and adventure; early reading, ages five to 10, basic reading, ages six to 12, and intermediate reading, ages 13 to 19.
• Items in High Demand -- encyclopedias (2000 and newer), computers, dictionaries and teaching aides.
