Trudy Marshall, the Executive Director of Libraries Of Love is just back from her recent, annual 6-month stint in Africa and presented her latest adventures to us in her annual update to Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary on Tuesday morning, Sept 21st.
After visiting Africa in 2004, and taking a few books with her to read, she was amazed when the African people she encountered were so taken with her books! She learned that people in Africa did not have Libraries and therefore did not have the access to books that we in America take for granted. Trudy decided to do something about that and Libraries of Love was formed!
You can also view her presentation on the Daybreak YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/Gp4hXDNH3GM
Trudy Marshall, the Executive Director of Libraries Of Love is just back from her recent, annual 6-month stint in Africa and presented her latest adventures to us in her annual update to Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary on Tuesday morning, Sept 21st.
After visiting Africa in 2004, and taking a few books with her to read, she was amazed when the African people she encountered were so taken with her books! She learned that people in Africa did not have Libraries and therefore did not have the access to books that we in America take for granted. Trudy decided to do something about that and Libraries of Love was formed!
As a schoolteacher and librarian, she also wanted to ensure that schoolchildren had access to books. The Mission of Libraries of Love is “To promote literacy in Africa by partnering with Africans to create libraries in individual schools, provide financial support to assist in the educational development of individuals, and address humanitarian needs in Africa." Trudy is truly an amazing person and is building a new future in Africa (primarily in Uganda and Kenya) one library at a time!
This year LoL expanded their reach beyond schools and created Libraries in Malukhu Men’s and Women’s Prisons, and the Remand Center (juvenile detention). This was a big hit with the inmates and many began avidly checking out and reading books right away!
In addition to Libraries, Trudy also changes students lives by finding sponsors for some of the most disadvantaged and helping them throughout their school years and assisting them with getting college educations. Then they can become middle-class professionals and further enhance their communities. She presently had eight of her students who have graduated college and another eight are currently attending.
Trudy also helps her African partners in many other ways. When a young man she knew recently broke his back (he was knocked down by a motorcycle taxi and run over by another), he was practically dragged to the hospital, broken back and all! In Africa, if you have to go into a state hospital, you must provide your own medicine, food, and other basic essentials. Medical personnel will only administer what you have provided! Trudy managed to get this young man moved to a private hospital and raise funds to provide for his care! Later she helped him get an electric wheelchair, as he was paralyzed for life.
Another aspect of daily life is the danger of living in Africa. Trudy usually travels by Boda (a type of motor scooter). In her earlier visits, she would hop on any available Boda. After being kidnapped a couple of times, she finally found a permanent driver. This year was very different though. With Covid, the dictatorship banned all travel by any vehicles for a time. Trudy had to walk 10 miles each way to go to town and back to her village any time she needed supplies!
When in America, Trudy travels around and gives presentations promoting support for LoL Over the years many have asked her to write a book about her adventures and escapades. Finally she did! Her book is called “More Than Books - The Libraries Of Love Story."
To purchase Trudy’s book and/or learn more about Libraries Of Love, go to https://librariesoflove.org. You can also view her presentation on the Daybreak YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/Gp4hXDNH3GM