With much excitement and anticipation, we are readying to open the new Lubuto Comboni Library in the Kanyama community--on the southwestern outskirts of Lusaka.
We held a training program from February 6-10 for the people who will work at or with the new library. Training workshops have historically been carried out in one of our existing libraries, but the host organization--the St. Daniel Comboni Development Centre--was interested in having this training on-site, which allowed many of their Sisters to participate. The engagement of the host organization's staff in operating the library is exactly what the Lubuto model is based on, so we are delighted that the Comboni Sisters will be taking advantage of how their library will help them in all their work.
Besa organized the week's programming. As with all training for new libraries, almost everyone at Lubuto mobilized and covered their individual areas of expertise:
Jane provided training from the U.S. via Zoom on Lubuto's print, digital and other resources, and their discovery and introduced the Early Learning Center and the evolution of Lubuto's early childhood programming
Besa provided general orientation and reviewed selecting books for storytimes, providing reference and reader advisory services to children, and shelving books and keeping the library in order
Nzala discussed interacting with children, understanding and signing the child protection policy, and responsibilities for data collection. Along with Besa, she also detailed the library's monthly reporting and data collection forms for the Lubuto network
Kenny introduced drama programming in Lubuto libraries, mentoring with specific reference to the character mentoring under our Templeton World Charity Foundation research grant, and the referral process. Along with Besa, he also explained how Lubuto carries out community outreach
Brendah presented her family literacy program that dramatically changes the lives of young mothers by teaching them to read and write in English
Enesto described Tech Hub programs and guiding children in computer use, how to screen films, and the wonderful art programming he offers at the Model Library that could help guide any future volunteers or staff at the Comboni Library
Muya discussed the scholarship program he has been so capably managing for the last few years
Lessons were reinforced through practical and engaging exercises. Following the training, all staff come together to identify the strengths and interests of trainees and recommend the roles that each person should play at the new library.
Simultaneously with this training, we have been putting the final touches on the Comboni Library. This includes delivering the cataloged collection of books, technology, and other items--all of which were purchased with a grant from USAID's American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Initiative. Our partners at World Vision also generously delivered these items from our office to the new library.
Lubuto staff helped arrange books on shelves in classification order, had signs printed and installed throughout the library, and worked on the details of the new Early Learning Center.
Lubuto's first Early Learning Center opening soon!
The Comboni Library will be the first Lubuto library to feature an Early Learning Center. This new building will house resources and services to teach caretakers how to care for children and activate their cognitive development--and offer fun activities for young children.
The introduction of the center--which will also be featured at the Model Urban and Rural Libraries--is a long time coming. Years of discovery and practice led to the development of Lubuto library-based approaches to early childhood education and early learning programming in its own space.
We first learned from local community members how early childhood education is traditionally approached in the region. Then over the years we learned the early learning needs of visitors to our libraries and then, in our outreach efforts, community members. Then, as an adjunct to our Family Literacy program, more structured early learning support was offered to participants' young children--and continues to this day.
At the Early Learning Center, we will be gathering local songs and games and learning the specific interests of caregivers to guide us in adapting the Every Child Ready to Read toolkit of resources to the Zambian environment and cultures. This will help prepare caregivers for their critical role as their child's first teacher. Five simple research-based practices--talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing--will be used to develop language and pre-reading skills in children. This will create a model that can be used at all Lubuto libraries and at other libraries serving children in Zambia.
The layout of the new Early Learning Center includes six stations of imaginary play, with corresponding learning tools and toys: a traditional market, farm, clinic, construction zone, kitchen, and family playroom. We can't wait to open these dynamic spaces to the community!
Volunteer of the Month
The Volunteer of the Month is Sean Daglous Namenda who is the son of Elliot Ngosa, Lubuto's Program Manager. Sean has helped us so much. Working with Nzala, he entered data for our Templeton program evaluating the impact of traditional storytelling on improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes. He has a keen interest in information technology and computer science--and is preparing to go to the University of Lusaka to study IT. Sean says his experience with Lubuto has been tremendously enriching and he hopes to come back and volunteer more. We are so grateful for all his efforts and can't wait to welcome him back to the Lubuto team!
