The BFA (Books For Africa) organization is the largest shipper of donated educational materials to Africa. They have shipped more than 34 million books to people in need, but to continue giving they need our help.

The New Ulm JOI (Junior Optimist International) club and MLC have put together a book drive to send new and gently used books to Africa. Nearly 1 in 3 people are unable to read and write in Africa so by sending our books they will have the materials they need to learn how to do these basic tasks that we take for granted on a daily basis.

I met with JOI representative and media specialist Ms. Hoek to talk about this year’s book drive for Africa. I asked her why we were taking part in the book drive and she said, “We want to help the common good and this also helped tie in our global projects for JOI.” Each year the JOI club must take part in a global project and this opportunity was perfect. Along with the book drive, the JOI club has also helped the people of Uganda and Sole Hope by donating jeans which are turned into shoes to protect them from jiggers, a small parasite which takes a toll on every aspect of human life.

To get a students perspective on the importance of the book drive I met with New Ulm Senior Tyler Roufs. We talked about the importance of helping those who are in need, and the importance of knowing how to read and write. Mr. Roufs said, “I believe anybody who wants to should have the opportunity to learn how to read and write.” We do a lot to help people from other countries and this is a prime example from our community. He also said, “I think in America our abilities to read and write are taken for granted.” New Ulm Public High School should be proud of their commitment to help those in need.