Library Update

Often I use the old starfish analogy when talking about Kenya Keys and the work we do. Throwing a few starfish back into the ocean can't save them all, but it can make a huge difference to the one! We can't save/educate all of the kids in Taru but we can save/educate a few.

And the few that we influence or educate can have a huge impact for good!

Take the libraries we support in Taru area.  When I first went to Kenya in 2012 most of the libraries were sad places.  When I say 'library' I am using the term loosely.  Only one of the schools that we help has a dedicated building for a library.  And it was built with Kenya Keys funds. Most of the primary school libraries are just a couple of shelves set aside in the teacher's work room or in a closet.  We have started a community library but it has been located in a dark, windowless rented space.

Some of the school libraries are still sad places. But there are a few that make me so happy. And that is because of the influence of a few excellent teachers who have dedicated themselves to developing a 'culture of reading' at their schools.

Here is the library at Egu Primary School. Abdallah is the teacher and the student is his library prefect. Egu has 802 students. His careful records show that there are 765 books total in the library and the shelves show that most of those are checked out. 

As I walked around the campus, I saw students reading for pleasure. Abdallah had organized a short program for us so that we could listen to dramatic readings of popular books.  The library is bright and organized and best of all  - USED!  Children are reading! 

When I first visited this school in 2012, the books were all kept in a box in a storage room.  Today, thanks to library teacher, John, the library is an organized, even though it is just some bookshelves in the work room. John even knew exactly what type of books he would like to add to the collection.  

The records show that a good number of the 975 students do check out books.

The library at Nyari, one of the poorest of the schools, is being well used. The teachers were so excited about the new books we brought.

Wow just wow over the changes in the community library!  The new building is all I had hoped it would be!  It's bright and airy and oh so clean and organized! 

I give these two wonderful women all the credit!  They are Kenya Keys sponsored students waiting to go to university and serving their community as librarians as they wait.  Now there is a weekly story time!  That's a first for Taru!

Kenya Keys is sponsoring a non-traditional education class for adults who don't have a high school diploma.  These men and women work hard to support their families and still find time to study and attend class with the hope of one day achieving the equivalent of a GED. Guess where they like to come to study? You guessed it - the community library!  It is a great place to work together and ask questions.

What a difference a few dedicated individuals can make!  A reading culture is starting to be developed in the Taru area!