There are few projects while volunteering with the Peace
Corps that you can actually “finish.”
So, I’m happy to say that our school library finally has a home, and is
up-and-running.
In October 2013 I asked friends and family to donate library
books to our school, as I saw that there were NONE. Two years later we have over 1,600
books! The Ministry of Education has
promised to continue to send boxes every year, so hopefully in time the library
will continue to grow, and this is only the beginning.
During the last school year I was running the library out of
my classroom, but the boxes of donated books just kept coming, and they outgrew
my shelves. This year, teachers shifted
classrooms around and we were able to provide an entire classroom that is to be
used exclusively as a library.
This is just a final note of gratitude to all of the
generous givers that contributed to this project. We talk a lot about sustainability in the
Peace Corps; I’m confident that these books, the impact of the stories within
them, the literacy skills that are built, and the curiosity that blossoms will
live on in the lives of these young Namibians who now have access to a
beautiful library.
sooooo soooo cool! A Library is a perfect gift to the students and staff that has been such a fantastic part of your and Aaron's life. I know that these past two years will have a profound effect on you and the people you touch as you return home! And as mom - I'm glad that is coming soon :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing you've done here! I was impressed yesterday when I got to see your library for the first time. I was also impressed at how well behaved and attentive your learners are in the classroom. It is clear you have made a powerful, lasting impact on those kids!
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