Kwekitui Community Library
Located in a mountain village in northeastern Tanzania, Kwekitui Library was established two years ago through the efforts of Sarah Switzer, then a Trinity Western University student who visited the village's primary school and noticed how few books were available for students. With the help of African Community Technical Service, she formed a partnership with Tanga Youth Development Association (TAYODEA) to build the library and purchase an initial collection of books.
With an average of over 100 readers per day, the library has made great strides toward improved literacy in the village. Students from the nearby primary school have seen a marked improvement in their grades, and adults (including elders) are regular visitors as well.
To paint a picture of just how valuable this library is for the area, high school students from a village down the road will walk almost two hours to study and read.
Until 2008, TAYODEA was purchasing new books with only minimal funding provided through Sarah's personal fundraising efforts. Rodgers, Kwekitui's dedicated and hard-working librarian, was working without a salary, receiving only a small stipend each month to cover basic living costs. In 2008, UTRT agreed to adopt Kwekitui and support its already successful programs with regular funding to cover Rodgers' salary, operating costs and the purchase of new books. In 2009, we bought the library a solar panel so it can remain open in the evenings and make a little extra money from charging mobile phones of local villagers.