Garden Of Hope For Africa
Nourish the body. Nourish the mind. Cultivate peace.
$475Raised of $106,950
About Soma Safari
Soma Safari, meaning “reading adventure” in Swahili, is a collaborative initiative launched in Kenya in 2025 to expand access to books and strengthen literacy outcomes for children.
The initiative brings together Books for Africa, Little Free Library, San José State University’s School of Information, the Kenya National Library Service, and Knowledge Empowering Youth Libraries. Together, these partners are building sustainable, community-based book ecosystems that are changing the culture of reading in Kenya.
Following a successful first year, this model is now being expanded to additional regions, including Nigeria and Ghana, adapting to local contexts while maintaining a shared focus on access, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
A key component of this work is the Open Access School Librarian Program, which equips educators and librarians with the training and tools needed to sustain high-impact library services and ensure the continued success of these book ecosystems.
FEATURED VOICES AND SPECIAL GUESTS:
Mychal Threets - San José State University School of Information alumnus, PBS Resident Librarian; Reading Rainbow Host (special message)
Patrick Plonski - Executive Director, Books for Africa
Anthony Chow - President, California Library Association; Professor, San José State University School of Information
Michael Lambert - City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library (welcome remarks)
Purity Kavuri - Kenya National Library Service Librarian
Nyakundi James - Knowledge Empowering Youth Librarian
Caroline Mwai and Evelyn Munyasa - Kenyan Librarians and Open Access Certificate graduates
Donations
Gardens Of Hope For Africa
Date: November 10th, 2026 Venue: Pegasus Gardens, San Rafael, California
The Experience
Join us for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and impact -Hosted at Fifty Vara, the afternoon offers a warm, welcoming experience set in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant dining neighborhoods.
Soma Safari is pleased to invite you to an afternoon gathering in support of expanding access to books and strengthening literacy ecosystems in Nairobi, Kenya.
Soma Safari is pleased to invite you to an afternoon gathering in support of expanding access to books and strengthening literacy ecosystems in Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana
This event brings together partners, supporters, and community leaders to celebrate an important milestone: the launch of our first shipping container and the early success of implementation on the ground. With books already in the hands of children and communities, this gathering invites you to build on that momentum and shape what comes next.
Guests will enjoy a seasonal buffet-lunch featuring California-inspired cuisine. The program will include brief remarks from project leaders and partners, followed by time for conversation and connection.
Why This Moment Matters
The work is already in motion.
A full shipping container of books has been delivered to the Kenya National Library Service, and distribution efforts have begun across our initial sites. More than 50,000 books have been mobilized, with over 20,000 books already distributed to 1,500+ children through early implementation. Six pilot book ecosystems are now active, establishing consistent access to books within schools and community spaces through newly installed Little Free Libraries.
These early results reflect both the need and the potential of this model. Continued support will allow this work to expand thoughtfully and sustainably.
