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At last! Gacharag'eini opened its doors to the public on September 23rd, as soon as the last pieces of furniture could be put into place. This is the seventh library that KidsLibs Trust has opened in Kenya, and our second rural library (after Sipili). This project is supported by Book Aid International, Aggreko, and Aberdare Cottages. The library is staffed by Faith and Mercy. Just one week after opening, we launched our signature family early-reading program, Little Hands Big Steps, with an eager group of parents/caregivers and young children who are already enjoying their take-home bags of books. |
Opening Day, Gacharageini Library |
Here are a few comments from community members on the opening of their first-ever library: "(KidsLibs) has now equipped the library with all sorts of books fit for the young and grown-ups, covering all the subjects which help to change the lives of human beings...This (is a) wonderful gift which will be remembered by generation after generation. Surely this great gift will be utilised by primary schools, secondary schools, and Kenyan uniersities." Mr. John Paul Muna.
I hope the library will benefit the local community by uplifting the education standards in the local schools for better life of our children." Wilfred Gachanja Kihumba.
Gacharag'eini is an agricultural community which is mostly involved in tea production, which makes the area very vulnerable to ups and downs in the market for this commodity. A shift to a broader agricultural base is desireable, and underway -- our library will be helping with this transformation by providing information that the farmers need. The population is predominantly Kikuyu, and Catholic. About 60 percent of the residents can read in English, though many lack fluency.
Just 10 days after opening, we had 114 members, and within two weeks, we were up to 328!
