Why Books?

This simple question, “Why Books?” is at the heart of Oasis’ mission. Answering it is vital to understanding the impact of Christian books and Bibles in Africa.

Having an abundance of books is the privilege of the Western World. Major retail bookstores, libraries, universities, and websites let us find any book on any topic without even thinking about it. Turning to a book in a subject we want to know more about, finding a book to do research, or reading something to help us raise our kids is second nature. Changes in technology give us even more options. Computers and e-readers are everywhere. It seems that almost everyday, there is a new way to read, research, and gain knowledge.  Take your pick of mediums and equip yourself however best fits you is the new reality.

But in Africa this new technology is hard to finance, electricity is often unreliable, and access to the internet is poor for the vast majority. Further, in many places efficient book distribution has yet to be established. Books are hard to come by in African nations. Most parts of Africa lack a sustainable book industry, particularly Christian books. This low quantity of available books detrimentally impacts educational system and handicaps an entire society.

Western priced books are simply out of reach to the vast majority of reading Africans – a person earning $25 a week cannot buy a $10 book. Moreover, Africans are reading, in English, in greater and greater numbers! Africa is thirsty for knowledge, thirty to grow and improve their society. We work to create a sustainable book industry that serves the exploding Christian population of Africa; to quench Africa’s Thirst, one book at a time.