About Us

Pelican Post is an exciting new postal service that allows you to send books directly to schools in Africa.

Mission:

Our mission is to inspire and educate young minds in Africa by providing a channel for people to send books directly to schools in Africa to help stimulate a culture of reading and learning in every school we work with.

Goals:

The scheme is primarily focused on supporting 14 schools in six African countries.

The goal for the pilot is to send 20 copies of several specially selected early learning books and children's novels to 12 different schools across the five countries chosen for the pilot. After the pilot phase is complete, we will expand the number of schools, books and countries covered.

With your help we can achieve this and send a minimum of 3000 books to Africa, impacting thousands of children.

Books:

The books are all in English and are culturally appropriate for African children. Considerable effort and thought has also gone into drawing up a final selection of proposed reading books with each of the project's partners and with the charity Book Aid International. Book Aid International have years of experience in coordinating the distribution of books and other appropriate reading materials throughout Africa and the rest of the Developing World. Read more about Book Aid International.

Schools:

Currently we have limited the scheme to 14 schools with whom we have developed a working relationship, and who have expressed a direct interest of becoming involved. As a result, we are able to closely monitor progress as to the number and type of books received within our target schools and understand the impact the books have.

Background:

The scheme was launched in July 2009 and is the brainchild of Nick Johnson, who was initially inspired to do something to help literacy in Africa following his personal experiences of working in a school in Uganda with Raleigh International.  Several years later and following a chance meeting with Anita Roddick, Nick subsequently put his idea into action whilst undertaking a self expression and leadership course run by Landmark Education in London.

The Pelican Post Project is not supported or affiliated with any religious or political organisations. We are simply an online community with an ambitious goal to see what difference we can make to an identified group of communities through the internet.

To help us achieve our objectives, we have sought advice and support from a number of charities involved in the distribution of books and in raising education and literacy levels in Africa. For more information on the partnering charities please visit our links page.

Education and literacy have long been identified as key factors in making poverty history.  Through the power of the internet, schemes like this could potentially inspire a million+ people to post a book and really impact on the future of many children's hopes and aspirations.

Why the Name "Pelican Post"?

We have chosen the Pelican as the symbol for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Pelican - despite often being associated with coastal regions - is widespread throughout equatorial and sub-Saharan Africa and in many areas can frequently be seen on inland lakes, river banks and other waterways in central Africa.

Secondly, it seems to be a fitting metaphor for our postal project. Pelicans are one of the largest and heaviest birds on the planet. Yet despite their size and bulk, they are still able to travel great distances to search for new fishing and breeding grounds. It may take them some time to get there but wherever there is fish to be found, they eventually settle.

Like the Pelican, our project aims to have a spectacular impact by playing the numbers game. The more individuals involved in the project, the greater the impact in raising literacy, hope and imagination for an innumerable number of lives.

What they say about us!

"I think this scheme is wonderful and I am very keen to support this...What is also very appealing about the Pelican Post is that I think it is rather nice for children to be able to read stories that they can identify with"...Alexander McCall Smith, Author

"This idea is quite simply brilliant! The Pelican Post is not just about posting a single book but about leaving a legacy that will inspire generations of children to learn to read.  Please support this scheme and post a book today"...Lenny Henry, Comedian

"Satisfyingly simple, I hope the Pelican Post continues to inspire young minds, far and wide"...Julia Donaldson, Children's Author

"Its very easy in this country, where books are both readily available and affordable to forget what a luxury they are in other parts of the globe.   The Pelican Post is a brilliant initiative and offers a near effortless way for each of us to make a tangible contribution"...Mariella Frostrup, Journalist & TV / Radio Presenter

"Its so important that children see people like themselves in the books that they read.  Picture books help enormously to give children a positive sense of self and personal value"...Verna Wilkins, Founder of Tamarind Books

"What a great idea. This gives the individual the opportunity to feel that they can make a difference.  And the important thing about books is that they go on journeys for whoever is going to read that book"...Beverley Naidoo, Children's Author

 

Every now and again a small idea comes along which has the potential to make a big difference. The Pelican Post is one of those. I'll certainly be supporting it and I hope many others do, too.

John Humphrys, British Broadcaster, Journalist and Author.