At MISSION, we firmly believe that education serves as the backbone to solving many of the world’s problems. Our goal is to collaborate with schools, communities, and families throughout sub-Saharan Africa to stress the importance of literacy and ensure children and young adults have access to the educational materials needed to succeed.
Sub-Saharan Africa consists of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. Countries within the region include Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, as well as 40 additional countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion on the continent. Over one-fifth of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are out of school, and more than 45 million children and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 are illiterate.
Did you know: Illiteracy costs the global economy approximately $1.5 trillion annually.
Mission is one of the leading children and young adult literacy nonprofit organizations in the United States. Each year we send thousands of supplies—textbooks, e-books, writing materials, tablets, laptops, and more—to specific African schools or communities in need.
Mission partners with organizations throughout sub-Saharan Africa to find and determine communities and schools in need of educational supplies.
Our volunteers and local partners across the United States organize book and educational resource supply drives and raise the funds required to ship supplies overseas.
We ship all supplies to our overseas partners who then distribute to designated communities and schools.
Thanks to generous donors, hardworking volunteers, and our partners throughout the United States and abroad, in 2020 Mission:
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Mission’s headquarters is based in Portland, Oregon, and employs 12 full-time employees. We have additional offices based in San Jose, California, and Atlanta, Georgia, with a combined staff of 10 full-time employees.
Our board of directors consists of five members who serve two-year terms. Recent elections were held in 2020. Current board members include:
In 2020, Mission volunteers donated more than 19,200 hours worth of time to our projects. We currently have more than 250 volunteers across the United States who dedicate their time and hard work to our organization.
Mission works with 72 partners throughout the United States. From large corporations and businesses to nonprofits and educational institutions, our local partners play an instrumental role in helping us reach our designated goals.
Before founding Mission in 2005, Laura Bradford spent 8 years in Africa teaching literacy programs to children and young adults. While teaching abroad, she grew frustrated over the lack of basic educational supplies necessary to ensure a proper education for her pupils. Upon her return to the United States, Bradford set out to form a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that the youth of sub-Saharan African communities would be equipped with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in the educational world and beyond.
Since its founding, Bradford’s dream has impacted the lives of thousands of individuals. Bradford received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Nonprofits Professionals Organization in 2015 and, in 2017, she was awarded the Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence Award by the Oregon Community Foundation. In 2019, Bradford received national recognition from the U.S. Nonprofit Coordinating Committee for her leadership and dedicated efforts toward educational equality in underdeveloped countries.
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At Mission, our purpose is to collaborate with schools, communities, and families throughout sub-Saharan Africa to stress the importance of literacy and ensure children and young adults have access to the educational materials needed to succeed. Each year we host various book and educational resource supply drives. We accept monetary donations as well as supply donations including used books, notebooks, writing materials, and other classroom supplies. The money we raise during events also funds textbooks, e-books, tablets, and laptops.
Book Drive: April 20 (Portland, OR). Stop by our main office (2024 Pine Street) to donate gently used books appropriate for children and young adults. Monetary donations will also be accepted during this time.
Classroom Supplies Drop-off: June 15 (Atlanta, GA). We are looking for writing utensils, notebooks, crayons/markers, and gently used books for children (ages 3 to 6). Monetary donations will also be accepted during this time. Location: 18472 Winsdale Drive.
Classroom Supplies Drop-off: June 15 (Atlanta, GA). We are looking for writing utensils, notebooks, crayons/markers, and gently used books for children (ages 3 to 6). Monetary donations will also be accepted during this time. Location: 18472 Winsdale Drive.
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Volunteers throughout the United States add the fuel to our organization’s fire. Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers around the country who dedicate their time and hard work to Mission, we are consistently able to exceed our year by year goals.
No matter your location, there are many ways to work with us. Volunteer opportunities include:
If you are interested in volunteering with Mission,
please contact us today via email or over the phone.
QUESTIONS?
info@mission.org
VISIT US
2024 Pine Street
Portland, OR 97201
CALL US
5592-591-5152
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Each month we feature an extraordinary team member or volunteer who has helped Mission achieve its success. This month, we feature Gerald Apson, a 5-year volunteer from New Haven, Conn. Read more
Mission has received confirmation from its Zimbabwe-based distribution partner, Keita LLC, that 48 tablets and 54 laptops have been successfully delivered to rural schools located in the Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on educational settings across the African continent. As of last week, we received updates from our overseas partners that five additional schools in the region of Chad were forced to close for the time being. Read more
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© 2023 All Rights Reserved
