Lubuto recently received a Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant to run four 13-week coding workshops for 96 girls between the ages of 11 and 20 in Lusaka. This follows a 2019 Motorola grant that supported the development of a Girls Can Code! curriculum and staff training to lead workshops.
The workshops--which Lubuto began conducting in January--teach programming, computer logic, circuitry, electronics, robotics and physical programming, and computer systems and architecture. This not only provides girls with new skills but will exposes them to female role models in STEM fields. The project prioritizes girls living in poverty from under-resourced communities and schools.
Enesto and Mwaba are currently leading workshops for a cohort of 24 girls at the Lubuto Model and Mthunzi Libraries. So far, these girls have particularly enjoyed building piper and Raspberry Pi computers and "bringing them to life." Mwaba and Enesto are excited to introduce many new topics to the girls in the coming weeks--and show them that careers in STEM are possible.
Covid-19 update
As in most countries, the Omicron variant has overwhelmed Zambia. Lubuto's libraries had been preparing to reopen indoor spaces and restart several beloved programs. The rise of Omicron necessitated that we rethink and reconfigure reopening. Although we have not been able to open the Lubuto libraries at full capacity or run all programs, library staff continue to safely offer small groups family literacy, drama and arts programs--along with special programs like the coding workshops.
We can't wait until we are finally able to open our doors to the masses of children eager to get back to their libraries, but we will always prioritize the safety of library staff and the children and communities they serve above all else.
Volunteer of the Month
The Volunteer of the Month is Veronica Mwansa Nkamba. Mwansa learned about Lubuto through a colleague who volunteered at the Fountain of Hope Centre. She says her experience with Lubuto was exciting because she learned new things including cataloging--and she was amazed by the quality and selection of books in Lubuto library collections. Mwansa's children loved the books she shared with them from the collection. She is eager to start volunteering for Lubuto again in the near future, and we will be thrilled to have her back on the team again!
