Greetings!   

As you can imagine, awareness for Bookwallah is growing.  We are receiving requests for our libraries and programs from all around the world.  

My recent trip to India*, which involved lugging books, letters, and beautiful art quilts from school children here in the United States, reminded me that what we are offering is something incredible.  AND...that we are so fortunate to have what we have in abundance in United States.   

People from all walks of life, volunteers from Bookwallah and our partner Make a Difference really came through to build FIVE more inspirational libraries for orphaned children during this trip. Over 90 people are partaking in this vision which began as an idea not too long ago. About 800 orphan children are now impacted by our programs which includes storytelling & reading sessions. We do more than just deliver storybooks.  Our libraries are not the "norm". They certainly are not boring!  Take a look at the photos below and you will see these spaces are created to inspire children, volunteers, leadership, and children from the local community to "imagine" and enjoy being in a space that motivates and inculcates the habit of reading.    

We would like you to be part of this vision.  We are doing this on minimal funds and lots of heart.  You can help move this organization to the next level and make a difference globally.  Please invest in these children, in more libraries, in this dream which helps open up minds to a world of possibility. Our message is not just about literacy.  It is about helping "vulnerable" children believe that the stories of their lives to date- child labor, parentless, HIV infected, children of brothels, abused, abandoned, victims of catastrophes- does not mean this is the story they will end up with. It is about telling them -- that they matter.    

LOEB

Make a Difference India 

Live to Support Chicago

Suggestions or Ideas?  

 Monsoons & More Libraries

(click on link above)     

bookwallah community- soccer or football?

Congratulations to Laura Fergusen, Jamal Gorham, and their CoEd Soccer Teams in Chicago, Illinois!  They won $$$ for Bookwallah, their charity of choice.  Our partner, Live to Support Chicago, is Chicago's ONLY charity driven sports organization. If you want to play for a cause, join Live to Support! 

 Bookwallah Volunteer of the Quarter!  

Meet Allison McDonald.  She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.  Allison has generously been donating her time to build momentum and content with our social media channels.  As a result of her efforts- our Twitter and Facebook audience have grown to 600+ and 900+ respectively!  Her content strategy included Bookwallah happenings, information on literacy, and social media trends. Allison has strong strategic marketing and project management background.  Her experience ranges from start-ups to more established companies such as The Nielsen Company.  Allison currently works for Starshot, a marketing agency with headquarters in Toronto, Canada and Chicago, IL. 

 Why volunteer for Bookwallah: 

 "Bookwallah Organization is an organization that really made me feel I was making a difference. The real draw for me was their "Bookwallah Buddy" program where children are helping children globally through books, letters, and art quilts."   

 SAVE the DATE:  Holiday Cocktails December 7 or 8, 2012    

 Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. 

Please join us in December for a Bookwallah private fundraiser at the residence of Ellen Itskovitz and Daniel Rothman in downtown Chicago.   Watch for an invitation in your inbox or send us a message if you would like to attend.  Tickets are $75.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Bookwallah filed our tax returns for 2011 with U.S. Internal Revenue Service.  Our total revenue for 2011 (our first full year) was $71,000 including gifts-in-kind. 82% of our expenses went into our libraries and programs. Thank you to those who donated to Bookwallah in our early days.  Recognition of donors are on our website.  Keep it coming!