Bring innovative libraries to 100,000 Africans

Through you support, AfLIA’s empowered librarians have achieved so much since they graduated last May. As we welcome September, we are sharing one of our favorite library strories by an INELI-SSAf mentor who continue to train and empower fellow librarians to become agents of change in their communities.

Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, is home to roughly 2.5 million people. Here, thousands of families crowd together in makeshift homes. Men and women struggle to get by on low-paying jobs. Children play on dirt roads instead of attending classes because there just aren’t enough schools, and not enough money for their basic supplies. And it’s not just schools; people also have limited clean running water, electricity, and medical centers.

In the middle of it all, Mary’s day is beginning. She heads to the Kibera Library. At first glance, Kibera would not seem like the kind of place one would expect a library to thrive, but Mary, its head librarian, has done just that by turning her library into a safe space for young people to educate themselves and become contributing members of society.

One of her programs focuses on the community’s gang members. With the help of library volunteers, Mary invites successful and inspiring people who grew up in Kibera to talk to children about how they can overcome challenges. Children learn about potential career options, money management techniques, and how to start meaningful initiatives. While most of society had written them off, Mary knew that these children had the potential to build a better future for themselves. Today, many of these gang members are regulars in the library and even help keep the peace in the community.

Mary created the program because she believed in the community and understood its specific challenges. She mentors other librarians to create their own programs across Africa. We need more people like Mary who can drive impactful change in places that would otherwise be neglected. Oftentimes, people ask Mary if she is a “social worker” or a “community development officer.” She proudly replies that she is a librarian who aims to build dreams and transform lives, the same way a book or a favorite author can shape minds.

This is the kind of change that pioneering library services can bring to their communities! We hope you continue supporting us and help trasform more libraries in Africa to bring new opportunities for learning for all people, no matter what background. 

Links:

• http://www.aflia.net

In 2016, the INELI-SSAf program began with a group of 32 promising librarians and 8 mentors working to transform libraries into engines for growth. For two years, the librarians immersed themselves in leadership development and project management and skills most librarians don’t typically get a chance to learn. Aside from learning how to partner with other organizations and making data-driven decisions, librarians learned to identify the needs of their communities and to create innovative programs that addressed them. On the 11th of May 2018, the long journey culminated with a three-day celebration that capped on the last day with a graduation ceremony.

As part of the ceremony, graduates presented updates on their programs which addressed problems like access to education, high illiteracy rates, and lack of employment opportunities. They traded ideas on how to engage their communities, scale their programs and reach more people.

Purity of the Nakuru Library in Kenya talked about starting with the little things. At first, it was making sure that the library was a place where everyone can come and learn. For children who love to read, they provided books and e-learning resources. For those who are artistically inclined, they hosted painting classes with local artists and organized art workshops. She gradually added more programs, even working with public schools to help improve children’s grades. She introduced Maths-Whizz, a virtual online tutor that teaches math through fun interactive games. One of her frequent library-goers, 13 year old Abby said that she used to get a grade of 70 in Math but since she started using Maths-Whizz, her grades went up to 90. Nakuru Public Library's excellent work in helping their community was recognized at the 2017 Maktaba Awards as the most innovative public library in Kenya.

Purity’s story is just one of many. Our librarians change lives everyday across Africa through programs such as inclusive reading clubs for hearing-impaired and blind library-users in South Africa and Uganda, or by bringing literacy classes to street children in Nigeria. Your donations have come a long way in making these programs a reality for their communities. We look forward to your continued support as we take on a new cohort of librarians who want to go beyond their traditional roles and truly serve their communities.

The much-awaited graduation ceremony was a sea of colors and sashes, of bright smiles and eager eyes. Each librarian was greeted with cheers and applause as they received their Certificates of Completion. But, the event was not just a celebration of the 32 librarians’ achievements. It represented the possibilities ahead when librarians are supported to become agents of development. Gone were the archaic notions of librarians as book keepers who spent their days organizing book shelves. Now, librarians can empower other people to find employment, learn new skills, start businesses, express themselves, and help develop their communities. Now, they can help people transform their lives. This is the new generation of African librarians.

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