When the Maovember 2019 campaign wrapped up last December, we anticipated seeing our funds in action faster than ever thanks to a QR code system that allows direct donations from supporters to our partner, The Library Project. Most donations now go directly to TLP during, or even before, events. For example, the event fee when people sign up for the annual Dog Pub Crawl is a direct donation to TLP.

Unfortunately, in terms of putting the funds to use, 2020 has not been an easy year. As the coronavirus crisis spread in China in January, we asked TLP to use the funds specifically for schools at the epicenter, the province of Hubei. TLP agreed but I don’t think any of us realized how long it would take to get that money to the schools given ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

But persistence pays and, after being in contact with education officials all year, the The Library Project team finally got approval and headed to rural Hubei earlier this month to provide two schools in Badang County with new books, desks, chairs, teacher training and more. Check out the photos below, provided by Nichole He of TLP, of Maovember funds in action.

We are now preparing Maovember 2020, with annual events like the WE Brewery corn toss tourney, Paddy O’Shea’s party and Dog Pub Crawl on the slate already. Updates coming soon. If you’d like to join our WeChat group, with Maovember event and donation updates, connect with me at ‘beijingboyce.’

Thanks again to supporters of Maovember 2019 for making these library donations possible.

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Maovember focuses on quirky events for good causes. Our 2022 partner is Library Project, which has furnished thousands of reading rooms in rural schools. Learn more about Maovember here. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.