The Elangata-Wuas Community Library and Resource Center is now open!

Guests from Elangata-Wuas, other regions in Kenya, and all over the world came together to celebrate the opening on July 30th. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this success! We hope to continue to expand the library’s programs and resources in the months and years to come. Please check back soon for more information and for photos of the opening day.

» View Library Opening Gallery

Context
In Elangata Wuas, doing well in school is a challenge. Schools are chronically short of resources such as notebooks and textbooks, and classes are often extremely overcrowded. Students study an intense national curriculum taught in their third language, and have only a small lunch of maize or rice and beans to sustain them. Often by the time they get home it is dark and they must fulfill their duties around the house. It is difficult to study without light and without a textbook.

Goals
The Elangata Wuas Library and Resource Center aims to drastically increase access to information for children, students, teachers, and adults in the Elangata Wuas community. It will provide access to books and news in English, Kiswahili, and Kimaasai, as well as literacy classes, workshops and seminars, a space for studying, a space for community groups to meet and organize, computer training, and storage of community records.

Building design
Designed by Africa SOMA Inc. and Robbert Mutsaers, co-director of Green Power Kenya, the resource center has been built in such a way that it symbolizes the three main constituencies it will serve. A central atrium opens to 3 wings: The children's wing points to the nearby primary school. The adolescent wing points to the secondary school currently under construction. The adult wing points to the central market.

The building will harvest roof rainwater that will be stored in a 21,000 liter tank underneath the central atrium. This drinking water will benefit the pupils at Elangata Wuas primary, and will also be used to irrigate small vegetable gardens around the library. The produce from these gardens will help supplement the school feeding program and add variety to student lunches.

Management
The Elangata Wuas Resource Center (EWRC) is a registered community based
organization, with representatives from the schools, elderly, youth, and women serving on the executive committee. Africa SOMA is working in partnership with the EWRC in the establishment of this resource center, but once it is open, the EWRC will be responsible for the day to day management of the center as well as raising funds to pay the librarian’s salary.

Financial Support
The Netherlands Embassy provided Ksh 2.3 million through the National Museums of Kenya to fund the construction of the library Africa SOMA has provided Ksh 430,000 to fund the construction of the library and has donated over 800 books. The Kajiado Constituency Development Fund is providing Ksh 400,000 to fund the purchase of furniture and books in local languages.

We are currently fundraising for the purchase of solar panels, batteries, computers, and office equipment for the librarian.