The Kibera Libraries Program is now completed. The libraries were opened on September 2nd 2024 and serve over 180 young learners every week!
At the start of 2024, KWES Foundation provided a grant to The Turning Point Trust to cover the costs of books needed for the establishment of a school library within the Fountains of Hope Primary School and at the Kianda Children’s Centre Pre-school. A total of 878 English and Kiswahili storybooks for ages 2-18 years were acquired. Each storybook was covered using a clear plastic sheet and marked as school property. An online catalogue has been created to ensure all books are tracked.
The library room at the Fountains of Hope primary school has been furnished with 3 large tables, each with 2 benches, 2 open shelves, 2 lockable storage cabinets, a chair and a table for the library staff. Each table can seat 10 students.
The classroom corners at the Kianda Children’s Centre Preschool have been furnished with colourful, open, child-level shelves, mats and accessories to serve both as part of structured reading activities and for the students to access the books to read whenever they feel like it. The ability to choose and access books that interest them when they want to fosters a sense of autonomy and personal connection with reading. This type of self-directed learning can help cultivate a lifelong love for reading.
We wish the students and teachers many happy reading hours in their new libraries!