For Caroline Compton to fulfill her dream of sending books to young Africans, she needs to raise $650 – so she makes and sells her own hand-crafted items to reach that goal.
For 12-year-old Caroline Compton, books have always been more than just words on a page.
Compton says books create worlds you can escape to.
“It can take your mind off on an adventure, teach you amazing things and teach life lessons of empathy, creativity, kindness and so much more,” she said.
Hoping to share her love for reading with others, Compton is hosting a book drive through Orinda Intermediate School (OIS) for the African Literacy Project (ALP).
ALP is a non-profit that aims to change literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa and has created over 3,800 libraries across 13 African countries.
To bring the project to life, Compton partnered with OIS’s Others First chapter, an organization focused on supporting students’ volunteer work, to host the book drive. Others First has over 100 OIS students involved in volunteer projects.
Compton encourages OIS families to be on the lookout for donation calls as the school year starts.
“I aim to collect over 1,000 books to send,” says Compton.
Flyers about ALP are hung at all Lamorinda libraries in Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette, and some bookstores.
Compton also has a goal to raise $650 to pay for the full mailing costs of the books by creating various crafts. She’s making bracelets and necklaces with shells, ceramic flowers, and enamel, as well as origami butterfly pendants, keychains and hand-knit scarves.
To receive a bracelet or necklace, her recommended donations are $5 to $15, depending on the material used. Knit scarves take more time to create, which translates to a higher recommended donation amount of $20 to $25.
Her favorite craft to make is the “Tic Tac Grow” bags.
Compton’s “Tic Tac Grow” bags (recommended donation costs $15 to $20) have nine stones inside, each of which have different plant types on each side of the stone. On the back of the bags, there is a tic-tac-toe board. Buyers can bring the stone-filled bag anywhere they want to play.
According to africanlibraryproject.org, 48 million young people in sub-Saharan Africa are in danger of growing up illiterate, and Compton is determined to be part of the solution.
“[It’s] because I love books,” she said. “[And] learning about places where children have little or no access to books makes me want to help give them access to the wonderful feeling of learning from and getting lost in books.”
When Compton grows up, she plans to become a teacher so she can continue her love for books and tackling literacy issues.
Compton’s mother, Elizabeth Dayton, is proud of all the hours her daughter has put into her passion for books.
“When Caroline learned about the African Library Project, the idea of communities without ample access to books really struck her,” said Dayton. “As this project has filled her open hours this summer, her love of reading and her passion for arts and crafts have come together with such focus and care.”
At the time of this interview, Compton has raised $300 by selling her handmade crafts. Those interested in supporting her fundraising goals, can check out the website she made at craftsforbooks.my.canva.site/.
