Read With Malaika

Hi everyone, we’re writing with an update on Malaika’s library.

We’ve unpacked the boxes of books and organized them on the shelves of the library. We conducted a pilot program with the library in recent weeks and we’ve received feedback from kids in the community that they would like some English language teaching sessions in addition to access to the library. The language of instruction at schools in the area is French, so kids want some English language and reading skills to take full advantage of the great books you all donated! We’ve also heard that kids are interested in science, both books and hands on activities.

Many of you have asked if there’s ways to contribute, and we are so grateful. Here’s some of the things we’re needing if you’re interested and able:

1.Book donations.
We are continuing to receive donated books. If you have books in good condition for kids ages infant through high school that you’re looking to offload, please consider sending them to the following address where we will keep them until we have sufficient volume to ship a container. Of note, books in French or Swahili also will be helpful as we have a section of the library for these books.

63295 Johnson Ranch Road
Bend, OR 97701

We also have an amazon wish list here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1SADY9348IKMJ?ref_=wl_share

2.Classroom and science lab supplies
If you have any classroom supplies in good condition that might be helpful including science lab equipment and tools, or art supplies, this would be useful.
We’ve added some to the above amazon wish list above including kids’ microscopes, telescope, binoculars.

3.Kids laptop computers
We are looking for 10-15 laptop computers and tablets that are easy for kids to use that could be used for online learning, learning basic computer skills, and reading electronic books. We listed some that would be suitable in the amazon wishlist.

4.Funds to help finish setting up the library and a classroom
We’ve set up a gofundme to help with expenses of furnishing a classroom just adjacent to the library space that we’ll use for English classes. Tables, chairs, board, lighting, etc. Any contribution will help.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-malaika-set-up-a-childrens-library-in-congo?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

5.Volunteers
We need native English speakers who are interested in volunteering to help read to kids and teach English to help out. As we are covering all operational expenses out of pocket, we don’t have funds to assist with travel from outside eastern Congo, but can help arrange lodging in Bukavu. If any native English speakers are willing to help on site for at least one month at a time, please let us know! Once we can get internet and a monitor, we will look into remote zoom conferencing for reading books too.

Once again, thank you all for your support and interest in Malaika’s library project. It’s very exciting to watch it take shape, and make this dream come true to positively impact kids in Bukavu!

Best,
Ali, Lucy, Malaika

Help Malaika set up a children's library in Congo, organized by Lucy Doyle We are raising funds to help set up a children’s library and English lea… Lucy Doyle needs your support for Help Malaika set up a children's library in Congo

Read With Malaika’s library yesterday before and after we started unpacking boxes of books and putting them on shelves!

Who’s ready to Read With Malaika?

Books to get started with are here in Bukavu, we are building shelves, and this girl is leading it.

This picture sums up the exhale and jump for joy we all felt to finally get the first shipment of books here!