My Nonprofit Reviews
allenrossthomas
Review for Books For Africa, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA
The absolute worse volunteer experience I have ever had. How about books for Atlanta? How about gay and lesbian exploration is OK but anything American related is sent to the recycle bin as Americans volunteer that time to support this non profit. Never again.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Volunteering.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Support local needs vs international needs.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Do not FORCE me to put anything american into the garbage.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yes. I will never volunteer for this organization again,
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Bitter.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Thomas felt bitter after his experience sorting donated books for use in Africa. BFA requests books that fit into an African school curriculum, such as core subject areas and current reference books, as well as reading books that a person can choose to read in a school or community library. BFA volunteers sort the books for condition and culturally appropriate content before boxing for shipment. A book about American government, Thanksgiving, or North American geography is neither useful in an African classroomn nor culturally appropriate to an African student. Books not boxed for shipment are recycled. There are certainly avenues for donating books that will be useful in the United States. I recommend the ALA reference: http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12. Please refer to the BFA website if you would like more information about the types of books collected and shipped to Africa. Sincerely, Carole Patrikakos, Manager of Corporate Relations & Grants, Books For Africa
