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Village Book Builders is an incredible organization that brings hope and excitement about learning to communities through books. The travel experience is enhanced with the sense of purpose that develops when the group works together. Opening a library and working with the children provides travelers with the opportunity to immerse themselves into the culture of those with whom one may never have interacted if traveling as a sightseer. I can’t day enough about the wonderful experience I had opening a library in Malawi this past summer. The most incredible pet of the journey for me was teaching the librarian and teachers how to access resources using the RACHEL server. I am forever changed. I look forward to learning even more on the Kenya trip in July 2020!

Oh my gosh! where to start! My experience in Africa was life-changing with Village Book! Not only did it change the lives of the community we served but it changed my life as well! I had always wanted to go on a humanitarian trip like this, so when I found one that focused on my love of books it was a perfect fit. I will never forget sitting in front of the villager's home talking to them about the importance of reading and also hearing their stories and lives. Also, going from house to house being led by the children as they held our hands the whole way. I will also never forget seeing the excitement on the kid's faces when they went into the library and saw the hundreds of books and several computers. It was life-changing and I am so grateful that I found Village Book and was able to be a part of this work!

Going to Africa with Village Book Builders was not only a life changing experience for those who benefited from the library but a life changing experience for me. The group was well organized, and costs were lower than expected. We worked our tails off, but then had time for fun after our work was complete. All expectations were met and exceeded. We got to know the people, help and serve the entire community, and help individuals one on one. With the people of the village, we built a library, stocked it with books, then taught them how to use it. We saw their excitement in seeing a book for the first time. We taught them how to use the English Language Tutors on the computer. Then we celebrated with a grand opening of the new library! I saw first hand the difference a book can make in someone's life.

When I first signed up to come to Malawi I thought I was going to be bringing a library to a random village. What I didn't realize was that I was bringing much more than that. I was bringing these people hope and opportunity.
Instead of teaching them Success Skills and Music like I had planned, I threw out my lesson and taught based on their needs. In the end, I learned a lot more from them than they learned from me. There is no amount of planning you can do that will prepare you for an experience like this. This trip is what I call an LC, a life changer.

One question that I was asked upon my return was, "do you feel like the people in Kadzakalowa are happier than the people in America?" I wasn't able to answer in the moment, but after a lot of thought I have come to the conclusion that they have something we don't. They don't have WiFi, they don't have air conditioning, and they don't have indoor plumbing. What they do have is a wonderful sense of community and showing people they care. I have never felt more welcomed into someone's home than I did when I was in Malawi. These people are from the most humble of means. This really is the warm heart of Africa. If I could go back tomorrow, I would.

The country of Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa because it is located in the center of Africa and it has a huge body of water that runs it border that supplies life giving water to much of Africa. Just like this body of water brings the necessary life to the surrounding area, the group at Village Book Builders are a body of caring people who are bringing life to the areas they touch. I had the blessing to be part of the service expedition to Malawi, Africa in the District of Ntcheu in a small rural African village of Katzakalowa. This village has no electricity and no running water. We were able to take part in the building of a library for them. I was an amazing experience and was a huge success. We had nearly 1000 people from the village and the countryside come out for the grand celebration of the opening of the library. We also fitted the library with Solar Panels so in many ways this library brought light to this village community. Light through knowledge and access to education and light through electricity and rechargeable lamps that the kids can check out with their books to take home to be able to read and study at night. The expressions of the kids and getting to read books with them was one of the highlights. To feel like at a very core level that you are making a generational difference in their life and in the lives of many to come really made the trip special. Great purpose, great people. All in all a wonderful experience and I plan to go again with this same organization, the Village Book Builders!!!

Our group connected so quickly, enough that it felt more like family. We still talk even years after the trip. This was such an amazing cultural experience, Village Book has really good relationships with the local leaders and the chief Nana Baofo loved us and went out of his way to show us the cocoa fields and to explain their local traditions to us. When he arrived at the celebration that was a sight to behold, as he came in with his giant train. My favorite part was just reading to the kids! Every time I would pull out a book I would have 30 kids instantly gathered around me. The kids are so eager to learn and grow, they have so many dreams and it felt amazing to provide the tools they need to get there. These kids will be the future leaders of Africa!!

It was a life long dream to travel to Africa, and it did not disappoint. When we first arrived the village was waiting there for us with a giant party and celebration! These people value education more than anyone I have ever seen. Even though the landscape was breathtaking it was the people who were truly beautiful! With Village Book we were able to truly connect with the village and feel part of the tribe. Our coordinators did such an amazing job guiding us through the week and helping us understand the culture and customs of the people, I don't know how we could of done it without them.
I loved the entire experience and would recommend Village Book expeditions to anyone, I felt completely safe the entire time, and am planning to go back with them the first chance i get.

Just got back from a phenomenal trip to Kadzakalowa village in Malawi, Africa! We built a library, decorated it, set up computers and solar panels for charging them, and had a fantastic time! The kids and adults all were thrilled to have books, computers, computer programs, and other resources available to them! I loved interacting with them all, visiting their homes, and seeing firsthand the impact that such simple resources to us can have on them. They have hope for a bright future! The other expedition-goers were diverse in their life experiences, we all bonded quickly, and the the leaders of the expedition were top-notch! Mac and Brittany are servant-leaders with enthusiasm and dedication! The organization cared about our safety, comfort and fun! I am planning on going with them on another expedition next year!