Creating Libraries and Computer Centers

In early 2021, through a partnership with US Africa Children’s Fellowship (USACF), HOSL made a major jump in our support of the amputee villages in Sierra Leone. We shipped and distributed over 30,000 donated books to 20 schools which had either small or no libraries. The community celebrated and quickly collaborated with HOSL to make the new libraries sustainable: every school designated a “library champion” (to whom HOSL provides a modest stipend for their work) to assure the libraries are maintained and that students get in the habit of borrowing books, together with promoting a love of reading. There is a lovely “green” aspect to this work: most of those books, including unused textbooks, would have ended up in the landfill.

Aid organizations come and go in the villages. The consistency of HOSL’s support and Sheku’s presence each year builds trust and sends a powerful message of hope. After all the amputee camp residents have been through, to know that people in the United States care about their situation and are willing to help provide a path out of poverty for their children means everything.

Sierra Leone TV reported on the delivery!