By Michael Oduor
Rongo University in Migori County in collaboration with Kibabii University on Wednesday received a 20-foot Container of 35,000 childrens’ books.
The 35,000 books which were donated by the African Library Project, will be distributed to 33 schools and community libraries in Migori, Homa Bay and Bungoma counties as part of the joint universities community outreach programme which is aimed at establishing small sustainable school and community libraries in the Western region of Kenya.
Speaking to Education News, the Deputy and acting Rongo university librarian, Mr Joel Nakitare reiterated that the local partners (Rongo University and Kibabii University) worked with the willing schools and communities to put in place modalities to run the library.
According to Nakitare, the African Library Project identifies book drive organizers in the United States of America who volunteer to collect urgently used books from families and schools that best fit applicants in Kenya then they raise funds to ship the books to Mombasa which come with manuals on how to set up and run a library.
Nakitare stated that the latest consignment cumulatively brings to 187 schools and community libraries that have received about 200,000 books since 2016 when the project was started by Rongo University.
He added that to ensure the success and sustainability of the libraries in the Western region, the local partners continuously train the teacher librarians on how to establish and run a school or community library.
“In order to ensure the success and sustainability of the libraries, Rongo and Kibabii University continuously train the teacher librarians on how to establish and run a school or community Library,” he added.
This was however the first consignment for Kibabii University after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rongo University on 14th Dec 2019.
The project aims at improving the reading culture and literacy skills among the school going children, and encouraging education development in the Western region.
Speaking while receiving the container in Rongo University on behalf of the joint team, Prof. Mohochi applauded all those who continued to work despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in order to deliver to the community.
He urged the schools and communities that would benefit from the kind donation to use the books well and mentor the pupils to be ardent readers.
“I congratulate all those who have worked tirelessly despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic in ensuring they deliver to the public. I also take this opportunity to urge the schools and communities that would benefit from the donation to use the books well and mentor the pupils to be passionate readers,” said Prof. Mohochi.
The Container was received by a joint team of Rongo University (RU) and Kibabii University (KBBU).
The KBBU team was led by Prof. Mohochi Sangai (Registrar Academics and Students Affairs) and Ms. Charles Nduko the Deputy University Librarian while the RU team was led by the Registrar Academics and Students Affairs, Prof. Joseph Aguyo and Mr Joel Nakitare the Deputy University Librarian.
