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