Libraries

Although we often take them for granted in the United States, public libraries are a vital cog in the education of both children and adults.  In East Africa having a quiet place to read and study with electricity and light bulbs, a collection of books (which are expensive throughout Africa), computer workstations and internet access is transformative for a school or community. Secondly, these libraries usually do not focus on children’s books.

The purpose of this project is to provide libraries and public Internet access at four different orphanages that the East Africa Partnership (EAP) has founded or supports, located throughout Kenya.  The orphanages are already constructed, so the project plans to add space to the existing structures, build desks and bookshelves, transport donated library materials and books from the United States to Kenya via container ships, equip the libraries with computers and internet access, and train local workers to maintain the equipment.  Income from any library fees will be used to support the orphanages, and the internet access will be provided to the children living within the orphanages to broaden their educational opportunities as well as to the public.

EAP has already assisted in establishing and staffing the orphanages.  Books have been donated from schools, libraries and congregations in the United States, and several of the orphanages already feature impromptu libraries with rooms full of uncategorized book donations.  Both partners of this venture are heavily committed to both the educational opportunities of the boys and girls at the orphanages as well as members of the local community.  Adding the libraries to existing structures will minimize costs, provide convenient access for the children, and allow permanent staff employed by the partnership to manage the library and computers.

These orphanage structures are well-known in the local communities and will provide a convenient place for community members to study, work, read, use a computer and find internet access which is very difficult in many places in Kenya.  As the EAP receives a steady flow of donated books, the library shelves will be filled with little cost. Containers are shipped to Kenya each year containing donated items, including library books.  For example, at one orphanage there are already 2000 books.  At least 50% of the books in each library will be for children, which will encourage early reading and allow them to “own a book for a week.”  

At most of the orphanages additional space must be created to house the books.  Local workers, Kenyan volunteers, and mission groups from the United States will for a team to build the necessary space and the bookshelves to hold the donated reading material. EAP will provide the necessary computer equipment to activate these facilities through donations and gifts in kind. A qualified IT team will be sent from the United States to set up the computer lab and have already begun to train an IT specialist in Kenya.  Network maintenance will be performed by trained personnel within Kenya.  EAP sends three to five teams a year to Kenya, so any large maintenance problems can be handled by the experts from the U.S. and Kenya.

The cost to open a library is approximately $35,000.  This includes construction of the additional space ($20,000), building of bookshelves ($3500 for wood), transport of books from the United States ($4600), purchase of some specific African textbooks ($3000) and other miscellaneous expenses.  If successful, this program can be expanded throughout Kenya.

Reading is the magic carpet to any place in the world and beyond without a passport. It is also the passport to educational success.  We would like to provide this opportunity for education and adventure to children and adults, who have not had the privileges afforded to other cultures. We can change the world one book at a time.

copyright 2010, East Africa Partnership, Inc. All Rights Reserved.