OUR FIRST LIBRARY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Construction of Paga library made possible by a generous donation from:


MISSION

Our mission is to build libraries that will have satellite internet which will serve as enlightened educational information centers for communities in Africa that do not have such institutions. The building of such institutions will enable African communities to achieve higher standards of education in their immediate communities and will also allow American high school and college students to participate in international humanitarians efforts. Generally, the cost of building or refurbishing a library in Africa is about $20,000. The cost includes shipping of books and hiring personnel to run the library.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Building Libraries for Africa Campaign 2008-11
Our goal is to build seven libraries by the end of 2011. Our first library is scheduled to be built in Paga, Ghana with a scheduled grand opening in December 2008. In 2009, we will build our first library in Liberia. By reaching our campaign goal of $393,387.50 we will assist the rural poor of Africa by helping create village libraries that are technologically efficient. We will build seven new libraries, purchase books by local and international authors, ship donated and collected books, provide librarian salaries, extended financial support to existing village libraries in Africa, and sponsor librarian training and library outreach and advocacy. Because all of the land is being donated by the host village, our minimal cost for a typical library is around $20,000.00 to build. All libraries will be supported by this campaign.

 BUILDING LIBRARIES FOR AFRICA PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

• To assist African towns and villages obtain educational faculties and information.
• To work with African towns and villages elders and leaders concerning educational issues.
• To respect cultural values of all African people.
• To engage in Institutional Capacity Building through the establishment of partnerships and collaborations with African communities, governments, Non-government organizations and U.S. based governmental, corporations and educational institutions.
• To leverage resources from Africa and the U.S. that will support development projects in Africa.

VISION

Our mission is to have built seven libraries in various African countries by the year 2011. Our first project will begin in Ghana, West Africa in August of 2008.

WHO WE ARE

Building Libraries for Africa is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We are a subsidiary of the Amen Ra Community Assembly of California.  It’s President, Jahi U. Issa and Vice President, Salim Faraji are university professors, born in St. Louis, Missouri and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the last decade they have made more than two dozen trips to various African countries conducting developmental research and doing business. They have given numerous lectures on African development throughout the United States. Jahi Issa holds a Ph.D. in history from Howard University and also attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He is currently an Assistant Professor of History at Delaware State University located in Dover, Delaware. Salim Faraji received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University and Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology in Southern California. He is an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and History at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

CONTACT

Mail:
    Libraries For Africa
    9 Bacon Ct.
    Dover, Delaware 19901

Phone:
    (252) 312-6730

E-Mail:
     Dr. Jahi Issa - jahiissa@yahoo.com
     Dr. Salim Faraji - montuscholar@hotmail.com