Aga Khan establishes libraries in Wakiso

By Jeff Andrew Lule          

In efforts to boost literacy levels in the country, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) together with a group 80 students from the Global Encounters Camp (GEC) have established three public community libraries in Wakiso district.

The libraries were launched in Gombe-Kitasa, Nakasozi-Budo and Kireka on (Thursday).

Speaking during the event at Gombe Kitara, AKDN's region communications officer, East Africa, Doris Mitti Kimuli said this was aimed at supporting the children in isolated areas.

"This is part of our Early Childhood Development programme. We involve communities and teachers through creation of locally registered training and resource to promote education standards," she added.

Kimuli noted that they mainly support rural poor schools because they lack the capacity.

The GEC group provided over 100 books with 28 titles to start the libraries.

The group also took part in other services with parents and pupils at Anoonya Infant Muslim School, where they participated in painting and making local learning scholastic materials from local resources.

GEC is an international residential programme held at Aga Khan Academy in Kenya, for young youth aged between 15-17 from various countries who take part in various service projects.

This helps the students engage in voluntary community services and gain exposure to the various initiatives of AKDN in East Africa.

The headteacher of Anoonya, Marian Jjuuko said, through the Aga Khan early childhood programme, parents will learn how to support the schools through making scholastic materials using local materials.

"We now expect parents at school every last Friday of the months to come and make use of the locally available materials. These materials will enable increase access to; boxes, wood among others," she said

Jjuuko also noted that the library in the area will enable children have a chance to borrow and read to improve their literacy skills.

Safina Nsereko, one of the parents, said the early childhood program will help parents learn how to make use of locally available materials.