Our four Global Literacy Partners are all world class organizations that make a huge impact for literacy, as you’ve seen on this very blog. You can even see testimonials about our relationship on YouTube. We don’t often post about the other 74+. Since I’m based out of our warehouse here in Mishawaka, I am lucky enough to meet some of the people in these other groups and hear about the huge impact they make in people’s lives. They don’t necessarily make headlines, but they do make a difference.
Anne Gongwer is one such woman. As a teacher-turned-missionary, she started the Ankaase Literacy Program in Ankasse, Ghana. Under her leadership, the program has taught over 80 adults and children to read in their native tongue. She has continued to expand the young program, recently completing the Reading Town Community Library which will provide for the education of future generations of Ghanaian children.
Anne is originally from Mishawaka and had heard about us through an acquaintance. I met with her and asked what Better World Books could do to help. At the time, she was near finishing her library and really needed books. We were more than happy to oblige.
Unfortunately I couldn’t meet with them when she and her husband came in to select them. I had a meeting with another potential partner (more on that in the coming months) so I asked my colleague, Jon Metzger, to assist them. Jon spent his early years in Sierra Leone, where his dad was a surgeon. It turns out that Anne’s husband, Cameron, remembered meeting Jon and his dad over 18 years ago in Sierra Leone. I guess the Sherman Brothers were right.
The Gongwers were able to take 4 boxes of books with them on their way back to Ghana. We hope to be able to get them more books in the future!
