Notable News

A monthly update from SA Partners

http://www.sapartners.org/bookshop/about.php

"Running a book party is really easy. The books are so beautiful and engaging. They practically sell themselves!"

-Rachel Knight, Brooklyn, NY

Coming together to raise funds for library book for South African Schools are members of the First Church and Parish in Dedham. They are (front row from left) Kathleen Duncan, Theo Feretinos, James Duncan, Wyatt Staton-Todaro, Foster Staton-Todaro, Alissa Sacks and Georgia Krikorian. Also involved are (back row from left) Jennifer Tengnel, Carrie Matthews, Meg Duncan and Allison Staton. Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together Continues to Expand!

This month, the children of First Church and Parish in Dedham partnered with SA Partners to sell books from the Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together project as part of "Cool Deeds," a monthly charitable initiative.

Not only were books sold in the Parish Hall after weekly services, but a Dedham bookshop named The Blue Bunny also supported the project by displaying and selling the collection.

Organizer and parent Allison Staton shares, "When I volunteered to run a 'Cool Deeds' session at my church, I knew I wanted it to benefit children in South Africa. We are fortunate to live in a town with well-stocked and professionally staffed public school libraries. Masifunde Sonke is a terrific way to make both South Africa and the importance of books come alive for younger children. They felt a real urgency to help their peers in South Africa have school libraries like they have. They also connected through the stories themselves. We all loved selling the books!"

By selling Masifunde Sonke project books in their community, the children are helping to bring the vibrant stories of the Rainbow Nation to an American audience. In addition, for each book sold, SA Partners donates a second book in the children's name to an under-resourced partner South African school.

We welcome your support in promoting the project! If you are interested in hosting a Masifunde Sonke book party in your church or temple, home, or office this spring, please contact Kate Sipples, Education Program Officer, at ksipples@sapartners.org

And please be sure to visit our e-bookshop for the latest additions to our growing collection of great South African children's books!