This year we established four school libraries accessible to 15 rural communities in Mtwara District. Volunteer-led EdUKaid libraries lend books, but also host computer and adult literacy learning sessions, community storytimes, and are a venue for health education promotion.

   

Highlights

All four libraries were fully resourced with computers, books, comfortable chairs and tables. 

6228 visitors came to the libraries for a variety of activities, from watching educational TV programme Ubongo Kids and listening to stories, to digital literacy sessions run by community members.

Headteachers report that children are using their breaktimes to use the library, with story books in Kiswahili the most popular choice for reading!

Alignment with SDGs: SDG3, SDG4, SDG10

The library has lots of nice stories which we enjoy a lot. We used to keep books under our desks, but now we have a safe place to keep them.

A keen 11 year old library visitor

 

Community Centre  

The EdUKaid Community Centre is a hive of activity day and night.  As well as providing a base for our local team the Centre offers facilities for training, contains classrooms for Extra Tution, provides space for children who have nowhere to  study at home and has a library for local people to access. 

The Centre is available for local people to use for events and meetings – it’s even been known to host the occasional wedding. 

 

Craft Shop 

Whilst the Mwtara region suffers from extreme poverty and a desperate lack of basic resources, it is rich in culture and talent.  Local artisans create the most incredible items that showcase Tanzania’s heritage and portray the beauty of this amazing country. 

Talented local artist Fredy and entrepreneur Tembo use the Community Centre to display and sell paintings, carvings and other handmade crafts produced by local men and women.