Turning Pages, Changing Lives: A Teacher-Led Journey Across Continents

In Zimbabwe, access to books is extremely limited—many children grow up without ever owning one. That reality inspired Kelly Bennett, a kindergarten teacher at Maple Ridge Elementary in Utah, to take action.

When the Nebo School District updated its reading curriculum, Kelly saw an opportunity to give the district’s gently used books a second life. She reached out to Laurie Whiting, who has worked in Zimbabwe and understood the urgent need for educational resources.

What started as a small idea quickly grew into a district-wide initiative. With the help of fellow teacher Sherry “Murph” Sandberg and support from schools across the district, nearly 50 tons of books, packed onto 65 pallets, were collected and shipped to Zimbabwe.

Later this year, teachers from Nebo School District will travel to Africa to help local Zimbabwean educators implement the new curriculum and make the most of the donated materials.

To recognize their efforts, the Dream Team and Mountain America surprised Kelly and Sherry with travel essentials, gift cards and financial support to help cover the packing and shipping costs of the books.

With some teamwork and a whole lot of heart, the community turned extra books into a global gift. Now, hundreds of kids in Zimbabwe will have the chance to read, learn and dream a little bigger, all thanks to teachers who cared enough to make it happen.