HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A GREAT 2025 

OUR BOOKS ARE WELCOMED

Brigitte has becoame a friend to me and Liz. She owns and runs the lovely Morija Guest House. She also sponsors the local Ha Matela Youth Centre (https://www.facebook.com/hamatelayouth) to which Books for Lesotho has sent books via our partner Rotray Club of Maloti, including during the past year. Brigitte writes: 

Hi David,

I just wanted to let you know that we got the 2 boxes of books yesterday. It took a while to coordinate with Ntate Bore but all is well in the end. The volunteers and I were delighted when we opened the boxes and saw some really great books, it felt like Christmas! Thanks again to you, Liz and all your team at Books4L for such a wonderful job.

Take care,

Brigitte 

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2024/25

The Budget for 12 months is: $22,440

Donations since 01 July 2024 total: $4,463

Thank you all who gave privately or through clubs, organisations or businesses – we have a way to go to meet the 2024/25 budget; can you help?

DELIVERIES – Who has delivered books since September this year?

East Adelaide Primary School, Immanuel College Senior School (donated by students and teachers), Mitcham Rotary Bookshop, Glenside Lions Bookmart, Mitcham Motor Garage (from several sources), Mitcham Library Service, Rotary Club of Kidman Park Book Mart, St John’s Grammar School, St Mary’s Memorial School, Red Geranium Op Shop, Oxfam Bookshop, Woodend Primary School, Pembroke College, Prospect Primary School, Burton Primary School and several private donations. We thank you ALL! (I’m sorry if I missed some!)

SHIPPING – Why we collect, sort and pack books…
The 26^th shipment B4L has sent to Lesotho since 2007 left The Barn on 11 December 2024. It was the 18^th shipment to the Transformation Resource Centre. The number of books sent to Lesotho totals 338,404 at a shipping cost totalling approximately $146,000. The books have been distributed to schools, youth centres, orphanages, communities and other youth-oriented organisations.

AGM AND CHANGES TO BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Books for Lesotho Inc. held a successful AGM in November. Candice Page did not stand for re-election after serving for 2 years. The Board thanks her for her contribution, coloured by her being from South Africa and having visited Lesotho. We welcomed Tracy McNamara back to the Board. Tracy took time out from B4L during which she completed her MBA (plus other achievements!).

NEEDED – DONATIONS OF BOOKS AND $s

We are always looking for books in good condition, especially fiction suitable for ages 11 to 14Donating dollars is easy – see the end of this newsletter

David Linn

Chairman, Books for Lesotho Inc.

O DONATE

There are three ways to donate – each one will produce a receipt for Australian tax purposes.  

1. The easy way for you and B4L is to donate through GiveNow. 

This is a secure online donation service: CLICK here

2. Another easy way for both parties is through PayPal:

Click HERE to visit our PayPal Giving Fund page

A PayPal account is not required to use this service.

3. Send a donation directly to our bank account:

Account Name: BOOKS FOR LESOTHO INCORPORATED 

BSB: 035-044   Account No: 228285

If you donate directly, and want a receipt, you MUST send an email to B4L with your details, the date and amount deposited. 

I thought readers might be interested in the succcss of Rotary International in Lesotho (my opinion!), as evidenced by the RC of Maloti (one of our partners in Lesotho) fostering the startup of the Rotary Club of Mantsopa (another of our partners in Lesotho). RC of Mantsopa reports below on the formation of 3 Rotoract Clubs (for young people) in Lesotho. It’s quite an achievement! 

We are proud to provide books to our 3 partners in Lesotho: the 2 Rotary Clubs mentioned above, plus the Transformation Resource Centre.