By Michael Oduor
Rongo and Kibabii universities have received a 20feet container of 35,000 childrens’ books donated by the African Library Project.
The will be distributed to 33 schools and community libraries in Migori, Homabay and Bungoma Counties as part of the joint universities Community outreach programme.
The initiative is aimed at establishing small sustainable school and community libraries in the western region of Kenya.
Speaking to Education News, the Rongo University Acting Librarian Joel Nakitare said the two niversities worked with the willing schools and communities to put in place modalities to run the library.
The African Library Project identifies book drive organizers in the United States of America who volunteer to collect used books from families and schools that best fit applicants in Kenya.
They also raise funds to ship the books to Mombasa which comes with manuals on how to set up and run a library.
The 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.
Nakitare said the local partners continuously train teacher librarians on how to establish and run a school or community library to ensure the success and sustainability of the libraries in the western region,
This was the first time Kibabii was receiving the books 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 when receiving the books, the Registrar Academics and Students Affairs Prof. Mohochi Sangai applauded all those who continued to deliver books to the communities despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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 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,” remarked Prof. Mohochi.
The Container was received by a joint team of Rongo University (RU) and Kibabii University (KBBU).
