A suitcase of books becomes a new Manning Public Library across the world, in Guinea, West Africa. As part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship through the U.S. Department of State’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Drake University, Fellow Hierno Abdoul Malick Keita was able to stay in Manning for a few days, taking tours of businesses, participating in community conversations, and attending public social events. Malick says that his time in Manning was transformative and an unforgettable experience. He says, “From the warm welcome to the insightful visits, every moment was rich with meaning and connection.” During his visit, Malick made a stop at the Manning Public Library and became fascinated with the free books stand at the library as other previous fellows have. He wished to take some back to his home in Guinea to inspire the learners and impact lives back in Africa. He purchased an additional suitcase and was able to fit 35 to 40 books to take back to his village, which now has a dedicated library room carrying the name “Manning Public Library.” Librarian Linda Muhlbaur saw an opportunity to continue assisting and supplying the newly developed library, saying, “After further brainstorming, we determined that creating an Amazon wish list and shipping direct to their library in Guinea was the most cost-effective option.” A link to the Manning Library in Guinea’s Amazon Wish List has been included below. Malick extends a heartfelt thank you to the Manning Public Library and the community for their generosity, saying the books will broaden the horizons and engage children and adults throughout the village with English language books.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/20G7JLMKW7HZN?ref_=wl_share
