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Newsletter #59 - November 2015
Click here for PDF version |
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| Lubuto turns 10! |
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On October 30th, we hosted a 10th anniversary celebration at United Therapeutics in Silver Spring, Maryland. We were gratified by the passion and interest expressed by attendees and the moving testimonials of speakers who have seen Lubuto’s work up close. A major theme of the night—and a highlight of Jane’s speech reflecting on what Lubuto has accomplished—was showcasing the “Voices of Lubuto,” a project that gives expression to the ideas, stories, hopes and dreams of the children and youth who come to the libraries. People wrote responses to these “voices,” showing Lubuto’s youth that they are being heard and that their stories resonate with many people—even thousands of miles away. If you would like to read and send messages to the “Voices of Lubuto,” please click here.
Lubuto Advisory Board member Scott Taylor was our engaging emcee for the event. Sally Sinn, Brian DeMarchi and Judie Feedham—who visited Lubuto libraries over the past year—described how much children love and need Lubuto libraries, and how committed library staff members are to improving the lives of young people. Mike Lee and Silvina Fernandez-Duque also shared their enthusiasm for the libraries’ impact and what they have learned from their first-hand experiences at Lubuto libraries. Thomas Mukonde and Brenda Yamba—along with Mulenga Kapwepwe and Mark Chona via video messages—talked about the importance and potential of Lubuto libraries in Zambia and elsewhere in Africa from Zambian perspectives. Finally, our long-term supporter Rita Ormsby expressed how rewarding it is to be a “Lubuto insider” by becoming a recurring donor.
It was a warm and wonderful evening of sharing and insights, beautifully and inexhaustibly organized by Sally Sinn with support from board members Cindy Johnson, Brian DeMarchi, Elena Michaels and Anne Caputo. You can view photos of the event here.
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| Our fifth library! |
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We are excited to announce that we have been awarded our second grant from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. This award will allow us to construct the fifth Lubuto library in Choma. As the rapidly-growing new capital of Zambia’s Southern Province, Choma has some 35,000 people who are 24 or younger. The area is also characterized as having extremely limited access to educational facilities and a very high illiteracy rate. Choma is therefore an ideal location for the next Lubuto library to provide much needed resources and services.
The host organization for our fifth library is the Brethren in Christ Church Choma Children Development Project (CCDP), a wonderful NGO that provides educational, health and psychosocial support services to vulnerable women and children in Choma and 54 surrounding villages. Their position as a vital community fixture makes them a perfect Lubuto library host with our shared goal of improving the lives of the most marginalized children and youth. Our connection with CCDP was made possible by our amazing Advisory Board member Mark Chona.
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| Check out our 2014 annual report! |
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Our 2014 annual report focuses on the diverse partnerships that are largely responsible for our success—and will help ensure Lubuto’s sustainability and continued relevance. You can look through the report by clicking on this link.
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Volunteer of the Month
Our Volunteer of the Month is Joseph Phiri, a Zambian volunteer who has devoted so much of his time to helping out at Fountain of Hope Library. |
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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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