UK Doctoral Student Organizes Textbook Drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 26, 2017) — University of Kentucky pharmacology and nutritional sciences doctoral student Brittany Rice has organized a textbook donation drive for the disadvantaged students of Rusangu University in Africa.

Located in Zambia, Rusangu University is a private, nonprofit institution located in the country’s most impoverished and underserved parts.

The undergraduate students of Rusangu University are in need of textbooks from various disciplines. These include but are not limited to textbooks in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, agriculture, agribusiness, geography, environmental sciences, nursing, business, accounting, human resources, nutritional sciences, family and consumer sciences, education, literature, English, history, music, psychology, sociology and linguistics.

The donated textbooks will be placed in the Rusangu University library for students to borrow.

"I hope professors and students at UK as well as anyone in the Central Kentucky area who has textbooks they no longer need will donate," Rice said.

Along with organizing the textbook drive, Rice also spent 10 weeks in the summer of 2012 as a fellow of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Minority Health International Training (MHIRT) Program where she was provided the opportunity to receive biomedical research training in an international setting. 

When asked about her experience, Rice said, “While interacting with the students, my appreciation for the quality of education and educational resources I received deepened. The students’ zeal for knowledge despite their limited access to resources was astounding and quite impressionable.”

While continuing to work with her contacts in Zambia such as Ephraim Gwebu, the dean of Rusangu’s University of Science and Technology, Rice was able to share several electronic textbook copies along with other resources.

When learning of the university’s need for textbooks with no financial ability to buy them, Rice saw her call to action.

“Being an advocate for social justice and education, I knew I had to respond to this call with action immediately,” she said.

If you decide to participate in the textbook donation drive, you should contact Brittany Rice at b.rice@uky.edu to arrange a time to drop off your donation or for your donation to be collected.

The last day to donate is Aug. 14.

For more information on Rusangu University, please visit www.ru.edu.zm.