After several months of book drives, we collected enough books for the Mofeyni Primary School Library in South Africa. We were finally ready to ship our first library as part of the Libraries with Love project. On May 26, 2023, every member of our branch was filled with excitement for this significant moment. We gathered at the Frisco Post Office, located at 8700 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034.
We carefully categorized the books into two reading levels: 3rd to 5th grade and 6th to 8th grade. To protect them from water damage, we packed the books in plastic bags and placed them in ALP (The African Library Project) specified USPS media boxes. Inside each box, we included a mailing slip with identifying information and a personalized message for the children in Africa. We then taped two shipping labels to each box, ensuring the barcodes were covered with tape to prevent damage.
To prepare for the long journey from Dallas to South Africa, we triple-taped every side of the boxes. We also discussed our summer fundraising plan, as the shipping costs had significantly increased. Overall, everyone enjoyed this meaningful learning experience, knowing we were making a difference for children in need.