Sub-Saharan Africa faces some of the world’s most urgent educational challenges, with youth literacy rates among the lowest globally. Access to quality education is limited, and as modernization accelerates, many traditional cultures risk being lost. Libraries could play a pivotal role in addressing these issues by serving as hubs for education, cultural preservation, and community development. However, most libraries across the region are under-resourced, and librarians often lack the necessary training to meet the evolving needs of their communities.

Through its librarian development initiative, TEL International aims to empower library professionals with the leadership skills, innovative thinking, and practical tools they need to revitalize their services. The project offers both e-learning courses and in-person workshops in Ghana, Kenya, and Hait, covering key areas such as digital literacy, data-driven decision-making, community partnerships, change management, and the broader social role of libraries. By equipping librarians with these skills, TEL International is helping to reposition libraries as dynamic centers of learning and cultural exchange.

With targeted training, even a small group of librarians can have a transformative impact. Just 20 well-equipped librarians can influence up to 100,000 people across their communities by expanding access to information, fostering literacy, and preserving cultural identity. As libraries grow into spaces where education is viewed as a right and not a privilege, they become catalysts for long-term development and hope in regions that need it most.

Want to get involved? Make a donation, create a fundraiser or consider sending this article to your friends. If your friends tell their friends, who tell their friends – that’s a whole lot of friends. So join us on Facebook, Twitter, and share our latest stories, blogs and posts. Your support and sharing our story with your friends helps us achieve our mission. Answer the call today and fulfill Jesus’ mandate to be in mission.