School Library Refurbishment Project

25 days ago we sent 10 volunteers to refurbish 2 libraries. This is what occurred. 

Chalinze Secondary School in Pwani. READ's 58th library. 

Kinyerezi Secondary School in Dar es Salaam. READ's 59th Library. 

Our two teams of volunteers, Team Kinyerezi and Team Chalinze, transformed empty spaces into exciting welcoming environments for students to read and study.

Let’s talk numbers:

1. Kinyerezi and Chalinze's libraries will provide 2189 students with educational resources. 

2.  Kinyerezi and Chalinze both have over 4,000 books in each of their libraries.

3.  All 8,000+ books were organized, referenced and catalogued for the schools.

4.   Kinyerezi and Chalinze both have 5 library prefects that were trained on how to run the library. Kinyerezi has two library teachers and Chalinze hasone library teacher to manage the library. 

                                                                                                       Volunteer Jonas Amos sorting books at Chalinze Secondary School 

In addition to refurbishing a room and stocking it with books, the volunteers made a great effort to make sure the library would be used after they left. Writing competitions, girls sessions on studying and using the library, training sessions for teachers on library activities, librarian training, and training sessions for all students on how to use the library are only a handful of the activities that took place during the 3 weeks. 

                               Writing competion the volunteers organized at Chalinze Secondary 

                                                Library training for the students at Kinyerezi Secondary

Now, we all know why the volunteers do what they do. They want to change their world. But something does have to be said about the fantastic opening ceremonies the volunteers, teachers and students get to take part in when the libraries are completed. Its a full day of celebration complete with dancing, singing, thank yous all around and of course, excellent food. 

But it gets even better! Our guests of honour were absolutely amazing. At Kinyerezi, Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete, Member of Parliament for Chalinze, attended and spoke about the importance of reading and thanked READ International volunteers for their energy, saying “We have no words to thank you enough”. At Chalinze, Jerry Silaa, the Mayor of Ilala, graced the event and spent time with the students speaking about different subjects and career paths. Both were a great inspiration for the students. 

                                                                  Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete at Chalinze Secondary

                                                                          Mayor Jerry Silaa at Kinyerezi Secondary 

All of this work absolutely could not have been done without the kindness of our sponsors.  Tanga Cement Company Limited (or sometimes better known as Simba Cement) generously funded both libraries.  Atlas Copco, Goat Races Charity and Radar Education are making it possible for studentsto fall in love with reading; they provided 3792 newly purchased books. Nabaki Afrika made the libraries beautiful with their donated paint and of course thank you to Gloabl Giving donors for making our work possible. 

                                        READ volunteers and Chalinze students with Tanga Cement Company Limited

                               From left to right: Mayor Jerry Silaa, Atlas Copco Regional General Manager Henry Ngugi,

Tanga Cement Company Limited National Sales Manager Leslie Massawe and READ International's Chairman Hatim Karimjee

We have one last large READ thank you to our hardworking, dedicated, brilliant and passionate volunteers who made miracles happen in three weeks. They spent their days and their nights, their weekends and their public holidays working in these libraries. We would be nowhere without them. 

                  Chalinze Volunteers                                                                                                                                                     Kinyerezi Volunteers