Africa Reads began in December 2004 when African born, Cambridge, Massachusetts' elementary schoolteacher, Racheal Adriko-Spillberg spotted a box of unwanted books outside her classroom. Racheal was well aware of the state of education in Uganda and knew books and school supplies from America could change people's lives in rural Africa for the better. Since her winter school vacation plans included a trip to see family in Uganda, she decided to take the books back to her village. When she shared her idea with her kindergarten class, they set up a book drive. In a matter of weeks Racheal had 1,000 books to bring to needy children.

Racheal, the daughter of a college chancellor, was born in Arua a tiny, war-torn, AIDS infected East African village, with no electricity or running water. She has always known the value of an education and is one of the fortunate few from Uganda lucky enough to finish high school and graduate from college, Because of the opportunities she was given, Racheal was determined to improve literacy for her countrymen.

When Racheal and her American husband landed in Uganda, they unloaded their bounty of books and drove over unpaved roads to Arua, six hours away. When they arrived, enthusiastic children and adults could barely contain their excitement as they unpacked the cartons. Racheal quickly enlisted the help of the village elders to set up Onita Feza (deliverer of knowledge and culture), a mobile book library for children and young adults. Once a week, Dixon Erima, a self-educated car mechanic, packs up a box of books and straps it to his vintage three-speed bicycle. He then pedals off to collect books, which were delivered on a previous trip and distribute new ones to approximately 600 people in five villages and two schools.

The American media learned of Racheal's story and embraced the cause. Through exposure, by the end of 2005 Africa Reads had collected 10,000 new and gently used books. They are now being catalogued and are awaiting shipment to Africa.