Garden Of Hope For Africa
Building sustainable reading ecosystems in Kenya, Ghana, & Nigeria.
$475Raised of $100,000
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 Pegasus Gardens, the afternoon offers a warm, welcoming experience set at the beautiful Pegasus Gardens Estate.
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 hors d'oeuvres and global conversation at a beautiful garden reception. The program will include brief remarks from project leaders and partners, including keynote remarks from Heidi Kuhn and Constancia A. Gaspar, Ambassador of the African Union, followed by time for conversation and connection.
Gardens of Hope for Africa brings together PAX Agricultura's work nourishing communities through agriculture and food security with Books For Africa's work nourishing minds through books and sustainable reading ecosystems.
Together, we're investing in the foundations children need to flourish: healthy bodies, educated minds, thriving communities, and a more peaceful future.
