Sipili, Laikipia West

Sipili: our first rural library! It's located in Laikipia West district, 240 KM outside of Nairobi. This has long been an area of conflict between Samburu and Pokot, primarily disputes over cattle. More recently, these conflicts have become bloodier with the appearance of large numbers of powerful weapons from Somalia. The region is home to many tribes: Pokot, Turkana, Kikuyu, Kalenjin. Traditional conflict between pastoralist communities over livestock and grazing are now supplemented by disputes over the ownership and control of land.

"There are deaths here every week," notes KidsLibs founder Anne Moore. Because the area is remote and has no effective police presence, most are never investigated. "The library brings all the tribes together through their children. We hope to help resolve some conflicts, and to give the children new ideas about how to resolve conflicts."

On first visiting this area it seems that no one lives there, but there are schools hidden away everywhere - including a school for the deaf. These school invariably do not perform as well as they should in national exams due to lack of resources. We want to give these children- and their families- a chance by giving them access to knowledge, and support the schools through supporting the curriculum. Already the Sipili Library drama group and a drama group from the school for the deaf have worked together on performances in sign language!

Opening - June 7th 2008

We opened the doors to the community very quietly at 12pm! The drama group performed to our visitors from Nairobi (members of staff from the other KidsLibs Centres), as did the drama group from Lariak Day secondary school!

-Drama Group-

Since opening we have nearly 624 members! Joseph, who runs the library has started a library club amongst the children (15 members so far) who help with library duties, and take responsibility for their library. They are rewarded with seeing all new books first!

John runs the junior drama group, and has been working with the local school for the deaf, creating dramas with the deaf children, and teaching them how to use the library. John also created the wonderful mural on the outside wall of our library.

-Mural Wall-

We have our first Wazee group here! About 10 men over the age of 65 come to use the centre, and are reading their way through the shelves. One of these members has already read all 59 Western titles in the adults fiction section!!

-Adults Library-

Sustainability

We are still looking for sustainability for this centre. We hope to get a tractor donated, which we can hire out for ploughing etc which will not only sustain the existing centre, but may enable us to start building our dream centre here!