THE FIRST MAJOR DONATIONS FOR 2025/26
The B4L Board approved a budget for 2025/26 of $26,700. The first major donor in the year was the Lions Club of Blackwood and then the Rotary Club of St Peters (both clubs are consistent financial supporters). Left is an image of Chairman of B4L, David Linn, receiving the Rotary donation from Rotarians John Dubberley (left) and Jim Owler, Vice President (right).
B4L has also received several significant private donations since 1st July.
Thank you all.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN LESOTHO – FROM WHATSAPP 07 DECEMBER 2025
The report on the left is a sign of the future. However, it is likely a long-term development for schools in Lesotho, especially for the schools in the remote schools in isolated mountain villages.
Will computers and other digital equipment (including “smart” phones) displace libraries and therefore the need for B4L to send more books?
I doubt it, based on the Australian experience and what I have heard from avid book readers in schools in Lesotho.
There is something about a real item in one’s hand with a bookmark to keep the place.
Never-the-less, I consider the story, left, about the introduction of computing devices in Lesotho schools to be a welcome and essential development.
Also, see the story attached to the newsletter.
AN APPEAL FROM LESOTHO
B4L is currently exploring some options for increasing assistance to Lesotho schools (more on this matter in the December 2025 newsletter).
During these B4L enquiries we have been discovering other NGO’s providing assistance to people in Lesotho.
One of them, the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative (LNI), is trying to help the Basotho (the majority of people in Lesotho are Basotho) fight childhood malnutrition and stunting, especially in children under the age of 5.
“In 10 years, we have sent 4.5 million meals containing nutritional supplements. Last year, we sent 800,000 meals and our goal is 1 million this year. This will allow us to help about 4,000 kids on a regular basis.”
LNI is in the midst of its annual fundraiser, and I though you would like to know of the initiative and might also make a donation: Donation Link The website is: givebutter.com
OTHER NEWS FROM LESOTHO – ABOUT ONE OF B4L PARTNERS
“On Friday, August 22nd, Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) and Spelling Bee Association of Lesotho (SBALE) joined forces to host an inspiring capacity-building session for teachers in the TRC network. This dynamic workshop empowered educators with innovative tools and strategies to prepare students for an upcoming school level Spelling Bee Competition for schools within the TRC network.
“Schools that will be participating are: Likotsi RC, Semphethenyane Primary School, Seleso Primary School, Likotsi LECSA primary school, Phuthiatsana Primary and High school, Lithoteng Primary school and St. James High School.”
(Extracted from a Facebook post.)
SENDING BOOKS TO LESOTHO
The most recent shipment of books left The Barn on 28th May 2025. It is heading for Singapore then Durban before the climb up to Lesotho for the Rotary Club of Mantsopa. It is the 4th shipment to that Club. It is also the 30th shipment of books B4L has despatched to Lesotho bringing the total number of books to 362,205 at a shipping cost of $158,000 (currently about some 50c/book) – all raised through public donation.
Thank you for your financial support. B4L needs your continued support.
DELIVERIES – Who has delivered books from July this year?
Blakeview Primary School, Treasure Boxes, Northfield Primary School, Blackwood Lion Club Book Shed, Scotch College, Charles Sturt Library, St Ignatius Primary School, Mostly Books Mitcham Square, Highgate Primary School, Lady of Grace – Glengowrie, Lions Club of Angaston and District Book Shed, Glenside Lions Bookmart, Rotary Club of Kidman Park Book Mart and several private donations.
We thank you ALL including those who facilitated the donations! (I’m sorry if I missed some!)
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.
Appendix
Sowing the seeds of education through interactive learning – by Bjorn Lomborg, President, Copenhagen Consensus Center, Malmo, SWEDEN August 2025 |
In Malawi, one of Africa’s poorest nations, a bold new initiative is transforming classrooms. With adaptive learning from tablets, children are gaining literacy and numeracy skills far faster and more effectively than through traditional schooling alone.Backed by Copenhagen Consensus research, the program delivers extraordinary value: every $1 spent generates $106 in social benefits, delivering higher lifetime earnings for students and society. Teachers, once skeptical, are now enthusiastic, as tablets ease their workload while empowering students to learn at their own pace. |
The Financial Times earlier this week published a special report about Malawi’s trailblazing education program, pointing out that it came about as the result of an exercise conducted by Thomas Munthali, former director-general of Malawi’s national planning commission. He had ordered a methodical study of the country’s spending priorities. “There were a lot of public investments taking place without proper assessment of best value for money,” he says. “We had been receiving a lot of aid and spending our own money, but we had very little to show for it.” Tablets came top of the ranking. The analysis was conducted by Copenhagen Consensus Center think-tank, ranking aid projects according to cost effectiveness. |
Both the academic evidence and practical experience implementing the program in Malawi clearly show that technology-assisted learning is a powerful example of how focusing on cost-effective solutions can dramatically improve lives and make scarce resources go much further. |