Kelli Bee
DCL
When AfricAid debuted a book in rural Tanzania's Losinoni primary school late last month, it wasn't just any book launch. On My Way to School was written by Losinoni students. It's about Losinoni students. And its sales will benefit Losinoni students.
The story describes, and its pictures illustrate, life in the village of Losinoni. The book is a culmination of a story-writing competition held among Standard 7 (7th grade) students there last February, from which the three "winning" stories were compiled into the final book.
On My Way to School just premiered in Losinoni, essentially its birthplace, but the book is primarily being sold here in the U.S., generating profits that the Losinoni school decided will buy desks for the school, to reduce the overcrowding which now averages four to five students to a desk. Profits beyond that will be allocated to building a library, which they believe the government will assist with once they see the foundation has already been laid and such strong initiative pouring out from the school.
The book is available for purchase from First Person Publishing, which may soon put out a school curriculum with lessons that will accompany the book. If teachers in the U.S. are interested in using the book in their classrooms, stay tuned to their site for updates.
