MULTIMEDIA: Bisila Bokoko makes a difference

Rated as one of the most inspirational women alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Lupita Nyongo, Bisila Bokoko is one of Africa’s humanitarians breaking new grounds – not just for herself, but for millions of people worldwide.

For about seven years she ran the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York fostering trade deals and creating pathways for businesses looking to enter new international markets. She left her position of power to follow her purpose and founded The Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project (BBALP), a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote literacy among the African people by building libraries in rural communities across Africa.

“This is my calling. I found this calling five years ago when I came to Africa for the first time. I realised that all the children I met in the rural areas could easily be me. It was fascinating for me to be with my people and learn from them,” she said.

She added that she is a successful business woman today because of education.

According to Bokoko books open up ideas; can change the way people think and also give people the self-confidence to go out and live meaningful lives.

“Books give people the opportunity to dream. Dreaming is the first step to success. Without books it is very difficult to dream because one’s view of the world is limited.”

Bokoko believes that with a book, you will never be alone.

For these and other reasons, she is exploring the possibility of opening a library near Johannesburg which will be an addition to her initiatives in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cameroon, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea.

Her ultimate dream is to make sure children around Africa have access to books.

“Every summer, volunteers come to our locations and read books for families and children. Story-telling is part of the African culture and we can also read together, show love and bond with our children.”

Bokoko spends most of her time travelling around Africa, sight-seeing and opening libraries, and she says Africa is filled with love and a sense of community.

“Sometimes in the West we have a sort of arrogance but I have learned more here. There is a lot of sharing and love among African people. I remember during a previous trip to Africa, there were women selling jewellery, and I couldn’t buy from all of them but they said ‘you can buy from one and we will share the money’,” she said in praise of the sense of community among Africans.

She also recalled a trip to Ghana where a family shared their last bit of food with them.

Listen to Bokoko speak business and humanitarian work: