Silver Spring, Maryland--The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is distributing more than $22 million in books to schools and libraries in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, providing an opportunity for thousands of students to improve their education.

In April, ADRA began sending a total of 27 book shipments to six countries in Africa, including Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, and Swaziland. The books, donated by the Pennsylvania-based Brother's Brother Foundation, will be distributed primarily among underserved school districts in those countries.

"The timing of this distribution is perfect," said Joshua Poole, projects coordinator for ADRA Madagascar. "It comes at a time when students are in need of textbooks such as these, that can be used as a stepping stone to improve the education and the overall quality of life for many Malagasy."

ADRA Madagascar has been working with the Ministry of Education to increase the quantity of educational materials available. A shipment of 400,000 textbooks, many of them focusing on topics such as math, science, English comprehension, accounting, anthropology, and sewing, will target primary and secondary schools around the country. The books arrived at a time when many of the nation's schools needed them, as the Malagasy government recently declared English the third official language.

"We are dealing with a very young country, population wise," added Poole, referring to the fact that as much as 44 percent of the population is below the age of 15, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). "How these young people are educated, and the tools and materials that they are given, will make a difference in not only the next generation of Malagasy, but ultimately in the future of the entire nation."

The Rwandan Ministry of Education, a recipient of some 18,600 textbooks, is currently organizing a national commission to review the books, in preparation for distribution to educational institutions. The project has been well received by government and local authorities, said Daniel Dos Santos, country director for ADRA Rwanda, who reported the governor of the East Province saying, "To bring books is better than giving cows. Because a cow will die, while these books will provide knowledge, and a future for those who effectively utilize them."

In Nicaragua, a shipment of some 40,000 books worth more then $801,000 will be distributed among schools and libraries. "Education is extremely important, and this project has captured the interest of both the local and government authorities, as well as succeeded in inspiring both teachers and students," said Plinio Vergara, country director for ADRA Nicaragua. "My only wish would be to increase the quantity of schools that we can help in the future, as there are so many more that are still in need."

Jamaica also received a shipment of textbooks valued at more than $860,000, which will be distributed primarily to Northern Caribbean University, in Mandeville, Jamaica, as well as other local secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.

"We are very thankful for the shipment that we are receiving, and hope to partner more with ADRA in the future. We believe that the books that we receive will help us achieve our goal of continued academic excellence," said Grace Carr-Benjamin, Director of Library Services for Northern Caribbean University.

The distribution was made possible through a partnership with Brother's Brother Foundation, an international non-governmental organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and by financing provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

"It has been a joy and a pleasure to partner with ADRA over the years," said Luke L. Hingson, president of Brother's Brother Foundation. "We share the same mission of love and community service, making it an easy partnership."

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Author: Nadia McGill

Media Contact: John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]