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Newsletter #57 - July 2015
Click here for PDF version |
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Ten years ago, Lubuto Library Partners (then known as the Lubuto Library Project) was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization. Jane had gotten involved with Fountain of Hope drop-in center in Lusaka in 1998 and was very moved by her experiences there. She spent extensive time reading to, getting to know, and advocating for the center’s children—most of whom were affected by HIV/AIDS, out-of-school and living on the streets — and served on its board. The opening of the first Lubuto library at Fountain of Hope in 2007 was the product of years of collaboration and groundwork. From working with children, staff and local community members over a period of years, Jane realized that the library profession provides approaches that could address the myriad needs of these marginalized young people and help them re-enter and thrive in society.
The creation of the Lubuto Library Project in 2005 was largely a testament to partnerships developed with professionals and local stakeholders—particularly Jane’s fortuitous engagement with architect Eleni Coromvli. Eleni’s designs perfectly support youth programs and services while also providing fun and welcoming environments. Anyone who has visited a Lubuto library will confirm that the spaces are well used and are always full of life.
Over the past ten years, we have constructed three libraries—Fountain of Hope, Ngwerere and Mumuni—in both urban and rural areas, and we are currently erecting a fourth Lubuto library in peri-urban Lusaka West. The libraries continue to grow, reaching out to more young people and demographics with a diversity of programs and services. They offer a combination of literacy, mentoring, arts, music, technology, drama and teen programs that adapt and evolve to fit individual libraries’ needs. Lubuto receives key government, local, professional and international support. Our proudest accomplishment to date is that the thousands of children and youth who visit the libraries almost always come back, many coming to Lubuto libraries every chance they get. Thrilled and humbled by this dramatic impact, Lubuto continues to attract the energies of talented professionals who will carry on with this important work.
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Jane reading to Lusaka children
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Thatching Arts building roof
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First Lubuto Library Opening
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Jane Meyers, Mulenga Kapwepwe, Danny Glover, and Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika
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Lubuto Library Partners outreach workers from the Ngwerere library
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| Help support Thomas Mukonde’s education! |
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Thomas made spectacular strides in his first year of MLIS study at the University of Illinois, and is now back in Zambia working hard for Lubuto during the school break. We need your help to fund his second and final year of grad school, after which he will return to Zambia to guide Lubuto’s efforts forward. Please consider contributing via the Donate Now link on lubuto.org or by mailing a check to Lubuto Library Partners at 5614 Connecticut Ave NW, #368, Washington, DC 20015-2604. Make sure to mention Thomas on your check or online submission. By supporting Thomas Mukonde’s education, you become a part of the history and success of Lubuto Library Partners!
Check out Thomas’ profile on his school’s homepage: http://bit.ly/1yrRVsh.
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Volunteer of the Month
Our Volunteer of the Month is Caitlin Raines—the DC office’s amazing summer intern—who has significantly increased our visibility and engagement through social media platforms in just a couple of months. |
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Copyright © 2015 Lubuto Library Partners, Inc.
The Lubuto Library Project is exempt from U.S. Federal income tax as a public charity
under Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
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