A community gives … and gives some more

WARWICK — This is what happens when a great project meets a great community.
Back in January, a small group of Warwick residents learned about the African Library Project, a national organization that collects books to start libraries throughout English-speaking Africa in schools and communities where there are no libraries.
It seemed like a good idea and soon the group was given a target — the Kuke Primary School in Ghanzi, Botswana — and a goal of 1,000 “new and gently used” books for children aged 4 to 10.
Very quickly, it became apparent that a lot of other people thought it was a good idea too.
The newspapers ran articles, the libraries agreed to be drop-off points, the schools sent the word home with students, people posted it on Facebook … and the floodgates opened.
Children, parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents all had books they wanted to contribute.
So did teachers and librarians and book store owners.
So did a whole lot of people in Warwick and Florida and Greenwood … and Chester.
So many people had great books! Some just one or two, others by the boxful.
So in late February, when the van pulled away from the garage of Carole Howard, the project organizer, there were 67 cartons containing 4,800 books that were headed off to start four libraries in four different Botswana communities.
“It was the right idea at the right time," said Howard, “and definitely in the right place."