The Book Project was founded in 1982 and since then has sent more than three million books to schools, colleges and libraries all over the developing world. However, the standard of education in many developing countries has advanced little since the Book Project was first founded.

Did you know:

  • Around 16 percent of young people in the 15–24 age group are illiterate.
  • There are 862 million adults and young people worldwide who cannot read or write.
  • 98 percent of people who cannot read or write live in developing countries.
  • Education budgets in many countries fail due to lack of funds.
  • Public funding for primary education is inadequate to meet demand.
  • Rural regions in particular, but also poor urban areas, often lack a comprehensive primary school network.
  • Children in rural regions often have to walk very long distances to school.
  • Where schools exist, the classrooms are overcrowded.
  • In some sub-Saharan African countries one teacher may have more than 70 pupils in a class.
  • Schools in developing countries are very poorly equipped.
  • There is no money for textbooks.
  • Textbooks, where they do exist, are old and/or have to be shared by many children.
  • There is no money for teaching materials.
  • School fees are still levied in at least 101 countries.
  • Many people in developing countries cannot afford to pay for books and other learning materials.
  • Children stay away from school or do not finish their schooling because they cannot afford the costs.
  • The need for the Book Project is as great as ever.

The Book Project relies on donations of suitable books for all the shipments to developing countries. Our next large shipment is to Papua New Guinea, with a small shipment to South Africa and Lesotho, sponsored by World Bank staff members.

All are welcome to visit the Book Project at any time to see the work we are doing in 2011. We are open Monday through Wednesday 10am to 3pm.

You can also visit our website, through the WBFN main site, to see the kind of books we need. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please email bookprojectwbfn@worldbank.org