Lubuto Library Project Programming Continues to Thrive!

Lubuto production of Rosa Parks

We've been very busy at the Lubuto Library Project recently. We are re-launching the LubutoMentoring programme, and have held introductory meetings for all of the 120+ kids who want to be involved (in each library) and their parents, with the structured programme starting this week. The boys on the LubutoArts programme here at FoH have been commissioned to create paintings as visual aids for the mentoring sessions, so the Arts and Activities Room has been a hive of activity. There are plans to develop the LubutoDrama next, and all of this is met with a buzz of excitement from the kids. On top of this, Eleni and I are due to give a presentation to the Library and Information Science students at UNZA (The University of Zambia) this week, to educate them about the Lubuto model and try to recruit some volunteers. The Monitoring and Evaluation Interviews are starting this week and we hope to be able to find out exactly what impact the LLP programmes have on the kids' lives. Oh, and we had a film crew from ZNBC (the Zambian equivalent of the BBC) here yesterday...

Despite all of this, the Library continues as normal - it's quiet because it's the school holidays, but the LubutoLaptops are still in good use, the LubutoLiteracy programme is being used, and kids are to be found reading in the alcoves of the Reading Room or playing board games in the Insaka.

And, I spotted a boy laughing with Kasela the other day. No unusual thing, you might think, but this particular lad has been staying at FoH for a few months and coming to the Library every day. He is very shy and obviously quite traumatized - and until that day, I had never even seen him smile.