Our Work in Somalia

In Somalia, The Library Project provides free Literacy Programs and Book Donations to rural elementary and high schools. These programs support children and youth living in rural communities by expanding access to books, strengthening reading opportunities, and helping students build the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

Our Book Donations support both school libraries and classroom libraries, helping schools provide students with age-appropriate reading materials in accessible learning spaces. These donations help create more opportunities for students to read independently, build confidence, and develop stronger reading habits.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Somalia. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Somalia

Somalia faces a significant literacy and education challenge. More than three million children in Somalia are out of school, and many families face barriers such as poverty, long distances to school, safety concerns, limited teachers, and the cost of education. Children in rural, nomadic, displaced, and crisis-affected communities often face even greater challenges in accessing consistent learning opportunities.

For students who are able to attend school, learning conditions can still be difficult. Classrooms are often overcrowded, trained teachers and school books can be limited, and conflict and climate-related emergencies continue to disrupt education. These challenges make it harder for children to develop the foundational reading skills they need to succeed in school.

Reading is the foundation for learning across all subjects. When students struggle to read, they are more likely to fall behind, lose confidence, and face greater barriers to continuing their education. In Somalia, access to books, literacy programs, and locally led education support is especially important for children and youth in rural communities.

The Library Project’s work in Somalia responds to this need by supporting rural schools with free Literacy Programs and Book Donations, while also strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building. Together, these efforts help create more reading opportunities for students and support long-term, community-led literacy impact.