Like so many organizations confronted with the need for social distancing as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, we moved to a virtual format to celebrate our 15th anniversary on October 10, 2020. Despite not being able to gather in-person for this milestone, we discovered the benefits of a virtual platform in reaching a wider audience and preserving the recorded event for replay anytime at LUBUTO15.
Our Emcee, Clare Hart, was joined by Anne Caputo of Lubuto's Board of Directors, and our Founder and President, Jane Meyers, for the hour-long program. They presented a lively evening of films, video and staff appearances to tell the story of Lubuto's inspiration and beginnings, the delivery and coordination of specialized children's programming, and the vision of a future for Lubuto that sustains the meaningful connections of staff and the kids they mentor and counsel.
The program played out within the context of two humanitarian crises, both caused by viruses: HIV/AIDS, which caused massive orphaning in Zambia in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the current worldwide threat of COVID-19. The recent death of Hon. Rodgers Mwewa, who succumbed to COVID-19 in July, rekindled the poignancy of the earliest days of Lubuto's foundation and mission.Rodgers was the guiding force behind the Fountain of Hope Drop-in Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, where the first Lubuto Library opened in 2007. Just as Lubuto was born in response to the plight of street children left orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the future will be shaped by our ability to respond to the needs of Lubuto's communities as the staff and kids seek to overcome the challenges of social isolation imposed by another pandemic.
Looking back was also a reminder that key people on our staff were actually youth served by Fountain of Hope during those formative days, kids who sang and danced and painted, and who listened to stories read or translated from books, who turned to the adults at Fountain of Hope for help. They are now delivering the same hope and encouragement to children at Lubuto Libraries every day. Our staff in Zambia who participated through their video introductions and descriptions of the programs they share with the children and youth were thrilled to see their contributions become a core piece of the event program and offered these comments:
"It is an honor to be a (albeit new) part of the team that has contributed their daily efforts in making Lubuto the amazing and impactful organization it is today."
"... to help many of us better understand the history, origin and impact of what we do and I must say that I'm very proud to be part of this great team."
"I could see the transition of my life when watching the video and I believed that those children we are saving can be like some of us or more than us. When a platform is provided definitely someone's life has to be shaped. Viva Lubuto Viva!!!!"
"Am so proud to be part of this great family. After watching the presentation I felt highly motivated to keep s[er]ving our children. Indeed librarianship is a service!"
Feedback we received from attendees during and after the event has also been heartening and instructive:
"The effects of your interventions will benefit generations to come."
"Love seeing the staff videos. They are so enthusiastic."
"... created quite an impressive legacy of accomplishment and hope"
Looking back at our origins in an earlier virus pandemic we know that relying on the talents and generosity of caring Zambians, and on the strong pull of community, has created something that is just what children, and their communities, want and need. That experience sheds light on our future directions and can guide us going forward.
LUBUTO'S 12TH ALMA NOMINATION!
We were recently notified that we have again been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2021, and that the nomination was approved by the award jury. ALMA is a Swedish prize for children's and young adult literature. It was founded in 2002 by the Swedish government to honor the memory of the beloved Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, aiming to promote children's literature of the highest quality from all over the world. The prize sum is 5 million SEK, which translates roughly to around US$550,000.
This is our 12th time being nominated and approved as a candidate for this award and we are once again humbled and honored to be considered to be important contributors to the ALMA's aims along with some of the greatest writers and illustrators of children's literature in the world. Here is this year's list of candidates.
"SHARING THE LOVE OF READING AND LEARNING" BY JUDIE FEEDHAM
Our wonderful board member Judie Feedham made supporting our 15th anniversary celebration and fundraising a family affair - as her involvement with Lubuto has always been. We could say so much about this but think that Judie and her girls telling the story in their own words is so much better. You'll see why we are so happy and grateful for all of their ongoing support and engagement with the Lubuto libraries and children in Zambia!
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: ADAM HOSTETTER
Adam is a relatively new friend of Lubuto that took us by storm with both a desire to contribute to Lubuto and great energy and competence that became an instant and enormous help as we struggled to master so many new things in having our first-ever virtual fundraising event. Looking back on it, we're not quite sure what we would have done without him! So when someone comes along who not only makes an essential contribution but also so quickly understands our work and how and why it is so important, we wanted to make sure we kept him in the fold. Adam went from discovering us as an organization he wanted to volunteer with to being a member of our Board of Directors in a little over a month - seemingly showing up everywhere he could be helpful in the process. No question that Adam Hostetter is our Volunteer of the Month - congratulations, Adam!
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