Exeter College has donated ten boxes of pre-loved books to underprivileged areas of South Africa as part of the Help a South African School project.   

The English, Languages and International Baccalaureate (ELB) faculty at Exeter College has decided to join an international effort to help address the issue of illiteracy in South Africa.   

Only around 22% of South African schools have libraries, and many are in need of vital resources to aid learning. Lots of South African children experience a broken journey through school. Around 27% of public schools still don’t have access to fresh running water, while just 12% have access to computers.   

By linking up with the Help a South African School project with Hortgro, the ELB department at Exeter College is playing a part in the distribution of books to some of the poorest parts of South Africa, creating opportunities for the country’s young people to read and write.   

The Help a South African School project aims to give books to those most in need across South Africa, including textbooks and literary books. Exeter College has responded to this urgent need, and staff and students donated pre-loved books to the cause. Now unwanted books could enjoy a new lease of life with a new generation of learners across South Africa.   

Discontinued books from the College’s Learning Resource Centres were collected and put towards the good cause, as well as a few from the personal collections of staff and students.   

Books were collected up before the College closure and are on their way to a new home in South Africa.   

Find out more about book donation with Help a South African School.