Further developing the skills of our youth
Lubuto continues to nurture the talents and interests of the youth in our libraries in ways that empower them and benefit the libraries as a whole. With funding from the Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA) we have been able to send two of them, David Shampwili and Harrison Chalila, for a 12-week training course in video shooting and editing at the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Skills Development Centre (TEVETA). The certificates they earn will qualify them to work for television stations, and their new skills will enable them to document our programs and services to help us spread the word about our model of dynamic library services. The feedback we've received on their training program so far is that it is “splendid!” Stay tuned for examples of their work!
Exploring "motivation" through LubutoMentoring
A recent session of our LubutoMentoring program, with 49 participants guided by mentor Elizabeth at the Ngwerere Lubuto Library, dealt with the topic "motivation." At the outset the children did not understand the concept, but after it was introduced they were eager to discuss it and share their ideas about what motivates them to action. They identified radio programs, newspaper articles and books in the library as sources of stories and information that inspire them to create positive change in their lives. One participant, a 15 year old boy who has come to LubutoMentoring more than 30 times, also told the group that the program motivates him to change his behavior for the better, work harder in school and tell his friends about what they can do and learn at the library. Elizabeth reports that this topic was especially enjoyed by everyone!
USAID's Christie Vilsack champions public libraries in global education
Christie Vilsack, the U.S. Agency for International Development's Senior Advisor for International Education, is admired and appreciated in the library world for her strong advocacy for public libraries - having visited over 500 of them as Iowa's first lady. She has taken a strong interest in Lubuto's work and at the August 6-8 USAID Global Summit on Education she made a point to come to our exhibit to learn more about what we are doing under our All Children Reading grant and about Lubuto Libraries in general. We also discussed the value of professionally-directed libraries in developing countries and she asked us to assist her with talking points for an effort she will be embarking on to promote them.
Meet the Lubuto community: Agnes
Agnes is 13. She lives in Garden Compound with her uncle and aunt. She is a very bright girl, so much so that she was put forward a year at school. She first started coming to the library because she wanted to read and improve her education, but after a while she started to attend LubutoDrama. In that popular program she is able to widen her experience and be creative for the first time in her life. She mixes with children who are the same age and younger than her, rather than just those who are older than her. She has made lots of new friends and was given a speaking role in the recent drama performance; she even got given a prize afterwards, for being a star performer!
Please join us as a sustaining supporter
As a Sustaining Supporter, you will receive an email with each donation to keep you informed of Lubuto's latest developments, of which you are a key supporter. And as you know, this support gives thousands of children, who may otherwise never see the pages of a book, the opportunity to learn, communicate and grow in beautiful, safe and welcoming libraries, making a real and lasting difference in their lives. A modest donation charged to your credit card each month or quarter helps Lubuto tremendously.
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