22/07/2024
BOOK AID FOR AFRICA FOSTERING COMMUNITY COHESION
In addition to addressing the imbalance in the educational provision in many African countries, BAFA fosters community cohesion. Recently, the Charity was awarded almost £10,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work aimed at bringing culturally isolated people together. The Charity, based in Sunderland, used the money to provide a safe space for 11 months; where socially and culturally isolated members of the community came together to socialise; expand their social circle and develop volunteering/employment skills.
Book Aid for Africa is a UK registered Charity that has been running since 2007 and is staffed mostly by volunteers from within the local community, including students from the University of Sunderland. It was founded by Dr Elewechi Okike, a former head of accounting at Sunderland Business School, after being appalled by the poor state of education, and the imbalance in educational provision, in African institutions.
The Charity collects books for children across all levels of the education spectrum (primary, secondary and tertiary) and processes them for shipment at its warehouse in Sunderland. Through processing and packaging the books for shipment to Africa, the Charity creates opportunity for social interaction, whilst at the same time giving the volunteers a sense of purpose and fulfilment knowing they are helping to make a difference in the world.
The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, saw newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers who might not have deep local roots join the Charity’s network of volunteers and staff members. Through a wide range of group activities, they received the local network support much needed at the earliest stage of new life in Sunderland. The project helped to reduce isolation, improved their wellbeing and integration. People built positive and diverse relationships more organically. This is recognised as one of the most effective measures against social and cultural isolation, and loneliness. The project was designed to foster feelings of belonging and bridge the gaps between different cultures, help those inexperienced to gain a range of volunteering/employment skills. People also develop a deeper level of connectedness to their communities and learn to grow more appreciative of each other’s culture, customs, traditions because of getting to know one another on a more personal level. It has been beneficial to those who have recently relocated to Sunderland from abroad, isolated residents, and the city of Sunderland becoming a more organically inclusive place for people to socialize, live and thrive.
Dr Elewechi Okike, the founder of BAFA, says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to press on with our plans to help build stronger and more interconnected relationships in and across the Sunderland area between people of different nationalities who probably would never have met. Educational activities to teach volunteering/employment skills, and workshops to promote diversity and inclusion will take place in a safe space where people from diverse backgrounds will be encouraged and supported to exchange knowledge on different customs and traditions. And in the process develop stronger social connections across Sunderland. The project’s activities will aid the empowerment of newcomers as well as that of isolated residents. It will support people to reach their potential, giving them the opportunity to exercise and improve their level of English, educate each other on diversity matters through group led activities, and as a result, a stronger multicultural environment will emerge across the city.
Miriam, a BAFA volunteer, says: “Thanks to Book Aid for Africa, I have not only met some amazing people, but also, I have felt fulfilled knowing that my activities with the Charity are making a difference in Africa”.
BAFA will appreciate funding from other organisations so that it can continue to make a difference not only Africa, but also within the local community.
For more information about our work, and to support the Charity financially or otherwise, please visit www.bookaidforafrica.com.
