Mogadi Olweny

South Sudanese refugee turned education advocate who built schools in conflict zones using innovative mobile libraries

Introduction

Mogadi Olweny (b. 1990) is a South Sudanese education activist recognized by Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work establishing mobile libraries in war-torn regions. As founder of Books4Peace Initiative, she has brought education to 150,000+ children in Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan through her innovative 'library on wheels' concept. Her TED Talk 'Books are Weapons Against Extremism' has over 2 million views.

Survivor Turned Changemaker

Displaced during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Mogadi walked 200km to Uganda at age 12. Her 2008 UNHCR interview ('Education is My Weapon') inspired her to start collecting books in refugee camps. By 2015, she had established the first mobile library using converted shipping containers as classrooms.

Innovative Solutions

Mogadi's 2017 Kickstarter campaign raised $500k for solar-powered mobile units equipped with:

• Books in Arabic/English and local languages
• Tablet computers with offline educational apps
• Hygiene kits for girls' education retention

Her 2020 partnership with UNICEF expanded operations to Yemen, reaching 30,000+ displaced children. A 2023 study by World Education showed 78% increase in literacy rates in served communities.

Award-Winning Impact

Awarded the Malala Peace Fellowship in 2021, Mogadi's approach inspired similar initiatives in Nigeria and Mali. She currently advises UNESCO's Education in Emergencies program. Her mantra: 'Books are not just for reading - they're tools for rebuilding societies.'