By Buhle Mbambo-Thata | Project Leader
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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