All your FAQ questions answered!
Understanding the Annual Membership Fee & Borrowing Fee
At Mama Africa Book Box, we believe in creating affordable access to books while ensuring that authors are fairly compensated and the reading club remains sustainable. Here’s a breakdown of how the fees work:
1. Why is the Annual Membership Fee Non-Refundable?
The Kes 1,000 (UGX 30,000) annual membership fee is a one-time yearly payment that grants you access to our reading club. It helps to:
- Maintain the library system (cataloguing, record-keeping, and management).
- Support reading initiatives and events, such as book clubs, family picnics, and meet-the-author sessions.
- Sustain operational costs, ensuring the longevity of the program.
This fee is essential for running and improving the club, providing members with a community-driven reading experience beyond just borrowing books.
2. What Does the Monthly Borrowing Fee Cover?
Each book borrowed comes with a Kes 230 (UGX 10,000) borrowing fee per book, which directly contributes to:
- The cost of acquiring new books (including printing for some books).
- Royalties to authors, supporting the writing and publishing ecosystem.
- Maintenance of books, ensuring they remain in good condition for future readers.
- For Uganda, additional Kes 100 (UGX 3,000) transportation and border fees from Kenya to Uganda.
3. Why Pay Both an Annual Fee and a Borrowing Fee?
The annual membership fee is a commitment to the club—it ensures members have continued access to the library, reading programs, and events.
The borrowing fee, on the other hand, helps cover the direct costs of the books you read.
By structuring the fees this way, we:
✅ Keep membership affordable while allowing flexibility in borrowing.
✅ Ensure books are continuously replenished and remain available for all.
✅ Support African authors creating a thriving literary community.
We appreciate your support in making Mama Africa Book Box a sustainable, impactful, and accessible reading hub for families.
4. Why was the monthly fee revised downwards?
We received a venue sponsorship, for 2025 program, and we are passing this benefit directly to parents, making the reading program more affordable.
5. Can I register more than one child?
Yes! The annual and monthly fees are charged per child. For two children, for example, the annual fee would be Kes 2,000 (UGX 60,000), and the monthly fee would be Kes 920 or UGX 40,000 for two children per month.
6. Can I borrow books for my child without subscribing to the monthly plan?
Yes and no.
If you prefer not to pay the monthly fee, you can purchase the books you need, when you need them. These you would own.
However, to be on the revolving libary (ReLi), you need to be on a monthly subscription.
7. What if I want to own the books instead of borrowing?
If you prefer to own the books, you can choose the To Own option at Kes 1,800 (UGX 55,000) per child per month.
What does this option include?
- Two books per child per month (yours to keep).
- Additional optional journals and freebies to enhance your child’s reading experience.
This is a great option for parents who want to build a home library for their children while still enjoying the benefits of the Mama Africa Book Box community.
8. What if I only want one book for my child?
Our model accommodates parents who prefer to borrow just one book at a time. You simply:
- Pay the annual membership fee.
- Borrow a book at Kes 230 (UGX 10,000) per book.
9. Can I pay for multiple months in advance?
Yes, you can prepay for multiple months if you prefer to settle payments in advance.
10. Are there any hidden charges?
(i) No. The only charges are the annual membership fee and the monthly or per-book borrowing fee, depending on the plan you choose.
(ii) Yes. Books are collected at CLC Kenya offices in Nairobi and assigned carrier in Kampala. The collection or delivery costs to a home’s location is an additional cost to the parents.
11. How do I make payments?
Payment details will be shared upon registration. You can contact support for more information.
