librariesfortheworld

Return to Uganda

Our volunteers returned to build on the work started in Uganda in 2022 – adding more books to the collection and conducting library programs for students in Abwanget Village. It was a joy to reconnect with familiar faces and experience the peace of the beautiful countryside. Volunteers read picture books, sang songs, and guided students in extension activities based on the books we had read. Our group also trained staff on the importance of reading to young children, and older students participated in reading activities over the weekend, while they were out of school.

Students helped us process some of the books that we had taken with us. Most of the books that we added to the collection had already been processed by volunteers in the U.S. and shipped before we arrived. Thanks to generous donors, we were able to purchase a new desktop computer for the library! The computer will be used to not only provide internet access but to teach villagers and students how to use a computer. While there, we also visited with several of the primary school students whose education we sponsor.

Volunteers ended the trip to Uganda by going on safari at Murchison Falls National Park, in the northwest part of the country. Our organization plans on visiting Abwanget Village every couple of years, to follow up on training and to deliver library programs to children.

librariesfortheworld

New secondary school library in Tanzania

Luganga Secondary School in Mafinga, Tanzania asked for a school library, and we delivered! After traveling for a couple of days, our group of volunteers arrived in Dar es Salaam and then visited bookstores to purchase as many local books as possible. The group then traveled by bus to the central, interior part of the country to set up books and train library staff.

Our shipment of books had been held up in Singapore for a couple of months and did not arrive in time for our trip, but students, staff, and a librarian from Iringa finished the work of setting up the books. Our volunteers had taken a couple hundred books with them for the library, so we were able to train staff on processing new books, library organization, and principles of librarianship.

One of the volunteers, Gina, belongs to a chess organization and brought many donated chess sets. Our group taught teachers and students how to play chess, in the hopes that the library will be seen as a hub of the school, a place where students can gather to pursue many interests, including becoming experts at chess. While there, we met and were driven around by Albert, one of the teachers at the school, who also runs a preschool and primary school. Our organization will return to Tanzania to continue working with the secondary school and to open a school library for Albert’s school in 2026.

librariesfortheworld

Uganda – Day 5

Our final day before the grand opening was full of activity. We swept the floor before laying down vinyl flooring. We also cranked up the music so that the children could have a dance party! Many of the children were going to be in school the next day, so we gave them the opportunity to celebrate the library opening before the rest of the community. We also discovered a local food vendor who made delicious chapati and rolexes. Chapati is an Indian flatbread, and when rolled up with an egg omelette, it becomes a rolex!

We visited two of the students whose education we sponsor. And we took a walk along a river that borders Kenya, just down the road from the village. There was a point along the river where people had thrown a wooden pole across the river, allowing people to balance like on a tightrope to cross the river. At another point, people crossed with a raft, pulling themselves along with a rope that had been strung from one side to the other. Both crossings were illegal, but people use them regularly to bring items such as flour more cheaply into the country.

librariesfortheworld

December down time

The children of Uganda have been making good use of their down time this December. This group of children has been practicing reading with some books that our organization left in the village a couple of years ago.

And these boys have kept busy by making charcoal so that they can earn Christmas money.

Over 120 children in the village celebrated Christmas by attending the annual Christmas party sponsored in part by our organization and our partner, Centre for Children and Library Foundation. There was a drama, singing, music, and food.

Thank you for all of your support over this past year. We could not do our work without your help. Have a restful holiday season!

librariesfortheworld

Sponsoring a teen’s education

Over the past week, we have worked on finding educational sponsors for Samuel, a student who wanted to attend secondary school but whose grandmother could not afford tuition. Two librarian friends quickly offered to sponsor his education for the year!

Samuel started school today, accompanied by his grandmother. Together we’re making a difference in the lives of children. There are more children who need sponsors for their education, so if you’re interested, please contact us.

The church Highpoint Fellowship in Cedar Park has agreed to help us by funding some of the cost of construction of the center, helping with the acquisition and processing of books, and helping with other aspects of the work. This project is not religious in nature, but it does bring us some relief to know that we will have help in completing the work.

Thank you for your generous support! – DC

Photo by Denis Okiru
librariesfortheworld

Update from Denis

A note from Denis:

Year 2020 brings us to a year of hard work and sacrifice. We are thankful and we give grace to God who has made us alive and strong. Our struggles continue in a positive perspective although amidst a few manageable challenges.

The process of construction of the children centre and library project is ongoing. We are thankful for the donations and hopeful that we continue to touch the hearts of all those who sacrifice to support the project here.

With your support we have managed to reach the roofing phase. So far we have paid for the timber, bought nails and now we are challenged with the purchase of 60 iron sheets for covering the roof and paying for the labour needed. This work is supposed to be undertaken as soon we get the funds. After roofing we will move to the next phase of fixing doors and windows.

Besides construction, we can touch lives of children here in my community by supporting their educational needs and above all provide them with psycho social care and support as a team in that, we will reach our targets.

As children are getting back to school, we have been involved in collecting scholastic supplies and also finding sponsors for our needy community children so that they can get affordable education geared towards improving the live standards of children and their families.

In conclusion, let’s join hands to contribute and support the Children centre and library project. The holistic care, support, growth, and development of children is our priority. “A hand which gives receives a handful of blessings” Hope to hear from you.

Denis

Director- CCL Project Africa Uganda