Teen entrepreneur distributes 7,000 books across US and Africa

Sophia Fan's journey into educational philanthropy began at an unconventional starting point: a surplus of Advanced Placement textbooks. Recognising the potential to redirect these resources toward underserved communities, Fan established Literacy Cycle at age 13 with the goal of democratising access to quality educational materials for children in need.

Over four years, the initiative has grown substantially, distributing more than 7,000 books across multiple states while simultaneously establishing an international footprint through a chapter in Rwanda. What began as a focused effort on AP textbooks has evolved into a broader platform accepting diverse learning materials, reflecting the organisation's expanding scope and community feedback.

The nonprofit's expansion underscores growing recognition of educational inequality within and beyond the United States. By channelling books that might otherwise remain unused toward motivated learners, Literacy Cycle addresses both resource scarcity and environmental concerns around waste.

As Fan prepares for her collegiate years, she has indicated plans to pursue studies in public health or global health—fields that align with her demonstrated commitment to community welfare. Her trajectory suggests a trajectory of sustained engagement with social impact initiatives, with Literacy Cycle positioned to continue its operations under her leadership.

The initiative exemplifies how student-driven projects can scale beyond local communities to create measurable change on regional and international levels.