Lubuto staff come together for training
This month, 3C Regional Consultants began the first of five trainings for our staff on how to best support the vulnerable and at-risk children who visit our libraries. These five training modules will take place throughout the year and will focus on different strategies we need to address the unique challenges and circumstances of each child. Staff are learning tools for effective communication, basic counseling, and making our libraries safer, more welcoming spaces. The training is also a great chance for prospective staff of the Mumuni Library to come to Lusaka and learn about our library services and programs. This is the first time these future program facilitators have come to Lusaka, and the first time they have ever used a computer! We are very excited to open their world in this way, and build the capacity of Lubuto Libraries through collaboration. Above, they are pictured with Thomas Mukonde and Kenny Hau at the Ngwerere Lubuto Library.
Meet our new Library Services Advisor!
Thomas Mukonde recently joined the Lubuto Library Project
Office as our Library Services Advisor. Thomas is a native of the town of Kitwe, in Zambia's Copperbelt region where he attended both public and private schools before continuing on to boarding school in the southern part of Zambia. Thomas then studied under scholarships in the U.K. and the United States, where he graduated with a B.A. in History from Georgetown University. After teaching for a year at a private school in Washington D.C., Thomas decided to return home to Zambia and give back to his community, where he then began work at a primary school that his family runs in Kitwe. Lubuto approached Thomas with the idea that libraries would be the best means of pursuing his interest in social equity and education, and since then, he has been a great addition to our staff! We believe he will go on to be excellent leader at Lubuto once he completes a Masters in Library Science in the United States in the near future.
Nabukuyu and Lubuto build together
We have resumed construction of the new Mumuni Library in Nabukuyu village, in Zambia's Southern Province. The work is moving ahead wonderfully, thanks to our host, the Matantala Rural Integrated Development Enterprise. Matantala is a collaboration of three local chieftaincies, and has a communal decision-making process. As a result, the whole Nabukuyu community is participating in the building process. Grass roof thatching has come from suppliers in Kalomo, while stones and eucalyptus timber are arriving from other places across the country. Thanks to the guidance of Mark Chona, the Chairman of Matantala, all 22 villages in the Nabukuyu area have each mobilized five women and five men to help transport our stones, sand and grass from as far as 20km away. We’re so excited the community has so seriously taken ownership of their Mumuni Library and are playing such a strong role in its sustainability.
Saying Goodbye to Madiba
During the first weeks of December, Lubuto Libraries were places where children came to reflect on what Nelson Mandela meant to them. Many of the children already knew about Mandela's life and his great sacrifice, often because of what they have read in the libraries or from mentoring sessions where Mandela has come up as an exemplary figure. The children look up to the former South African president as an inspiration. Referring to Mandela's humble beginnings in Qunu, one child said "we should not forget where we come from and even if we are poor we can achieve our dreams." The children were also deeply affected by the fact that Mandela forgave his captors after twenty-seven years in prison and believe that they can learn from the example he set to become leaders themselves. They want to use the opportunities they have to rise above their circumstances and help others, like Madiba did.
Please join us as a sustaining supporter
As a Sustaining Supporter, you will receive an email with each donation to keep you informed of Lubuto's latest developments, of which you are a key supporter. And as you know, this support gives thousands of children, who may otherwise never see the pages of a book, the opportunity to learn, communicate and grow in beautiful, safe and welcoming libraries, making a real and lasting difference in their lives. A modest donation charged to your credit card each month or quarter helps Lubuto tremendously.
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