Sponsorship

Sara Lee is a South African part of an American company. They sponsor the entire library, paying for everything from the rent, to electicity, shelving, carpeting, and more recently for two staff members to receive a salary. We are also trying to find a member of libraery staff to undertake library training (certificate and diploma in library skills)

Membership and Staffing

The library is open to everyone and is free. Books cannot be borrowed generally. At first this library was open only to members of MYSA but soon it was open to the entire community. In the library there are three members of the staff. Two of them are paid by SaraLee and one volunteer is unpaid.

W e currently have members .

Bookstock and

Basic information.

The library unofficially opened in November 2003. Then in February 2004 it was officially opened by Children's author Beverley Naidoo. The library was at first only one room for children. Soon the adults decided they also needed a library, so the MYSA office next door was converted into an adults library.

library stock initially came from the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Now stock come from the UK and locally.

Challenges

Size: The library is too small for the needs of the community.

Power: When power is out there is no natural lighting. and we cannot use the computers. We need a back up battery (there is no secure space for a generator or solar panels)

Need UPS machines to help preserve computers during power spikes etc.

Chairs: more chairs are needed

 

Achievements

Some staff are teaching kids to read.

Small homework clubs three times a week, to help in maths, english, and science.

Story telling regularly.

Encouraging children to draw and write their own pieces.

A Mathare North drama club. The children create their own drama by talking together about things which concern them.

KWANI, a Kenyan group of authors who publish together, visit regularly.

Now there is a computer in every room.

 

 

 

 

 

By, Zaki Durry

Watoto Wana Say

-by George Nange

I am going to write a poem, a poem about Man's knowledge and mystery

A poem about the poor child in Iraq, a child soldier in Liberia, A poem about an abused and exploited child,

Perhaps about my Mum, Dad, my family

Oh yes! My friend an African child

KWANI, WATOTO WANA SAY

 

Ignorance

Ignorance at the bus stop, as adults step on my toes and push me aside

Am I not a human being with rights? I wonder

I'm so little, soaked in my school uniform,

Splash! Splash! The vehicles on the road splash water on me

Ignoring my resence, because I am so little and have no say.

NO! Not any more. I promise this poem will do exactly that.

KWANI WATOTO WANA SAY

 

The Plight of children

7:00 O'Clock. I sneak in my neighbour's house, its news time!

I sit down on the cold floor, seeking out information in the media.

Before my eyes blink, I see child soldiers in Liberia,

Children dying of malnutrition problems in Somalia,

Orphaned children living with HIV/ AIDS the scourge

Malaria strikes and kills a child

My brother and sister forced into child labour.

Oh no! My God! Why us! Have mercy.

I close my eyes, tears flow. NO! Not any more.

KWANI WATOTO WANA SAY

 

Brutality

Brutality, in school, at home and the community.

I am caned like a snake, a thief. Ouch! Ouch! It hurts.

Kneel down! Yet I don't know my mistake,

My parents too busy to know my needs

My neighbour beats me up and chases me away. Reason? I am making noise

Last night, scream in my neighbourhood.

My friends victims of violence, beatings as well as thier Mum

Reason? Dad came home drunk.

I listen in despair; I'm patched on a desparate future,

Can someone hear me? I wil SHOUT to the loudest of my noice!

KWANI WATOTO WANA SAY

 

Politicians

Every day they struggle for power;

"We will bring developments and make good roads"

Yet it takes three potholes and then turn on your right there lies our house;

Garbage and broken sewers greet you on out doorstep

Yet they talk about development but no action.

In Parliament we the children are not in their agendas

Why? WHY? wHY`? Wil we ever be in your agendas?

KWANI WAOTO WANA SAY

 

Education

For if we educate the children of today we will solve the problems of tomorrow

Education not about maths, English, Swahili but also about my own rights,My health and my world.

My pen cries pleading for mercy. I beg to stop but without a message.

KWANI WATOTO WANA SAY

A dog once thought toothless now bites.

For now It's time to get love and protection from you.

The time is now to revive political will and commitment to the plight of children.

NOW not tomorrow.

LISTEN TO ME for I am a child.

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Give me a chance I won't dissappoint you.

KWANI WATOTO WANA SAY

Mathare North

Library