Stevenage Rotary is helping local Charity, Just Be A Child, with costs for a seventh library and learning centre in S. Kenya. There is a proven need - due to lack of facilities in these remote areas - and benefits not just children, but also their families. 40,000 books go on each shipment, and are shared with schools, hospitals, orphanages - eventually these are rotated, thus providing new books at each location. Schools report a marked increase in literacy skills since libraries have opened.
Over 50,000 children of the age of 12 from the Kwale County, Kenya have very limited reading skills, according to the study carried out by Nairobi University. This is mainly due to the lack of access to age appropriate books. Imagination, creativity and problem solving skills are also underdeveloped and this has a direct impact on the employability of the young people from this region. This projects aims to ensure that at least 20,000 children of all ages have access to literature.
JBAC in partnerships with local communities, creates, maintains and supports Libraries and Learning Centres created by converting shipping containers and stocking them with donated books, furniture and stationery. Training, activities and events are organised to further encourage children's learning. Volunteer librarians are supported with training, thus developing their skills and knowledge.
Well over 20,000 children from varied communities will gain access to books, will engage in creative activities and their performance at school will improve. This in turn will lead to greater chances of employment. Adults from at least 30 partner communities will also learn to read and gain the knowledge of how to engage their children in learning through activities.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
