Dear Friends:

Thank you for your interest in Books for Afghanistan.

My name is Jozsef Marian, and I am the Executive Director of Books for Afghanistan. I started this organization in 2006 with one simple but difficult purpose – to provide school books for the children of Afghanistan.

This project came to fruition after my extensive travels throughout Afghanistan. While visiting many schools in towns and villages, I had the opportunity to meet many teachers and administrators. When I asked them what they needed, there was always a one-word answer: BOOKS. That was the common request and main thread among all of them. That simple...just books. My eyes were opened. I knew that I needed to help.

Afghanistan is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world I have ever seen. Although the country is going through troubling times, there are also many great positive changes taking place. As Afghanistan fights to transform and modernize itself so must its educational system. Alarmingly the average Afghani student has never owned a book. I believe after what I’ve seen in Afghanistan and wanting so badly to help them in some way, the one solution that I can offer is to bring them books.

By bringing them books, it is my hope that it will inspire students to dream and strive for a better life. To allow students to believe in themselves. To allow them to want something more from life. To educate themselves and help improve their people, culture and society. Through education I want to help them create new opportunities for themselves and their country. Education and books hold the key to success for them. Help me help them.

Here in the West we are flooded with books, and yet there are entire regions of the world with millions of students who have none. It is our mission to change this. Together we can change this. Our short term goal right now is to collect enough books to fill a 43-foot container which will be shipped to Kunduz, Afghanistan. Once the books arrive there, they will be distributed to schools in the surrounding area.

The task at hand is a difficult one, but it is one of great necessity. I am excited when I think about the changes we could bring to young people’s lives through books. I hope you are excited too.

In closing, please donate your books and help make a difference in the future of Afghanistan. Also appreciated is any sort of monetary donation. Please note that 100% of the money donated will be directly spent on bringing books to the children of Afghanistan. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and complies with U.S. IRS regulation 501(c)(3).