Community Library and Computer Center for Rural Kids in Tanzania

Education is a significant key way to empower people in any society. Despite this fact many children in developing countries especially rural areas are left behind because of lack of required facilities. Schools and teachers are there but no enough books. With the advancement of digital age and technological know-how, there is a necessity to keep people to have access to information. Many students in my home Village of Kilimamoja have no access to information because of the geographical location and also lack of public or community libraries. Therefor I would like to establish “Kilimamoja Community Library and Computer center. It is my interest that the idea of community Library will act as a catalyst to many of these areas. I am asking for Crowd funding to rise money about 12,000$ to start this project. Please contribute any amount you can.

Project Location

Karatu district is one of five districts in Arusha Region, located in the Northern Zone of Tanzania. Karatu is a small town of about 200,000 residents. It is located about two hours drive west of Arusha Town, half way between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Karatu is administratively divided into 13 wards of Baray, Buger, Daa, Endabash, Endamarariek, Kansay, Karatu, Mang’ola, Mbulumbulu, Oldeani, Qurus, Rhotia and Qurus.Karatu district has more than 40 villages and Kilimamoja is one of those villages.Many residents in Karatu are farmers, who depend on farming and animal keeping for their livelihood. Many of their children’s don’t perform well in their primary and secondary studies. Hence, they rarely proceed to higher learning. This is due to number of reasons including lack studying facilities including books and economic situation of their parent.

I am among the few sons of these farmers who got to school and studied Journalism at the University after being supported by one American family. I am now working as international Journalist. But i still recall back difficult studying environment for rural student of my country Tanzania.I am personally dedicated to create an effective and sustainable solution that will give young people in Karatu, my home town, who are in high risk of missing education, an educational-supportive environment. I do believe that education is a real alternative to poverty and violence. I have identified two Primary Schools and one Secondary School in the district to work with.

1.Project Background

Educationally empowered person is able to decide for him/herself of what to do for his life and positively contribute to the community in a procedural and intellectual manner. I want to carry out this agenda through training sessions on leadership and entrepreneurial capacities, motivational talks to organized groups and one-on-one mentor ship.

2.An idea to build Library between the two Village

I have seen a necessity to bring educational materials into two villages of Kilimamoja and Huduma. It has therefore identified the establishment of a public library targeting two elementary schools of Kibaoni and Kilimamoja; and Kilimamoja Secondary school who cannot access books because of the poverty. This community library can also serve non formal schools in the village as an alternative option to this extension service.

3. Project Objectives

-To bring information through books close to students and other people who might not be able to access these informational materials under normal circumstances.

-To promote a culture of reading to students as well as people in the rural villages.

-To equip students with extra information in addition to the in-class teacher instructions.

-To alleviate immoral practices by giving young people a chance to be critical and creative.

4. Project Justification.

-Current situation

There are currently 2 public primary schools and one secondary school within Kilimamoja village. Although the Tanzanian government is working diligently to offer affordable education for its children in these schools, there are several children left out attending non-formal schools which are ill equipped with basic learning materials. There is no public library in Karatu district for many rural dwellers. Lack of access to information is a major contributor to low understanding standards in the area. This has attributed greatly to abject poverty in the communities.

5. My intent

With the advancement of digital age and technological know-how, there is a necessity to keep people up to date progress in the world of information, hence the need for community library center to include ICT technology. It is my interest that the idea of an information center such as a library will act as a catalyst to many of these challenges. This is so because many of these people will get occupied and hence avoid such malignancies. The youth will also learn on many important and viable projects that would see them generate income for themselves. Furthermore, as the saying goes, there is power in knowledge. The people will be developed intellectually hence can make informed decisions.

6. Sustainability and monitoring

-The village committee members responsible for education will ensure the proper maintenance of records (appropriate users registration, exit and return date, recovery methodology).

-Full time librarian to ensure good care of the books to oversee the orderly running of the facility will be employed.

-Quarterly meetings with formal non formal school administrators, community leaders to check on the libraries’ status.

-Continuous information to stakeholders and partners.

-Minimal registration and evaluation fee to be charged on the users to ensure daily maintenance and project sustainability.

7. Construction projection- The construction cost is still under research. I will provide my own piace of land for building this dream community library. For now the immediate possible way I think is to hire a house and change it to temporary library.

8. PROJECT PLANNING

Output

	Narrative summary	Indicators	Means of Verification
Output 1.	Over 1000 formal and informal school children do not get access to books.	Two primary schools ( pre – unit, 1 – 7 ) and one secondary school ( Form 1 – form 4)	Visits to schools and interviews with teachers and students.
Output 2.	Need for setting Community library center –in Kilimamoja Village: open and affordable to all students and to the public members.	Registration and entrance will be free and usage of books is for a cheap fee. Library will employ dedicated librarian.	Interviews with local people. Regular feedback from librarian.

Activities

Activity 1.	Committee of five people with school administrators will propose the list of rebooks to purchase and stock in the library centre. The committee will purchase the books locally. The committee will lend the books to the school students, teachers and community members. Committee will identify the list of books and magazines necessary for the community. Committee will set up the rules and conditions of the library. Purchases the books locally. Provides training on library management. Sets up a library catalogue. Organizes publicity events.	Budget allocation Copies of invoices for the book purchases. Quotations from the various suppliers for purpose of procurement.
Activity 2.

9. List of Books and Budget

Target	Books	Number of books	Average Unit cost(USD)	Total (USD)
Schools (Primary and secondary)	Science; biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics. Business, Geographical and historical books, Languages;Swahili, English, French. Past papers from different schools and NECTA.	1500	3.5	5,250.00
Youth	Advocacy, Governance, Motivational books Management books Enterpreneurship	800	5.2	4,160.00
Mature youth and community members	Healthy and environment, Conflict management and peace studies Business. Magazines and periodicals.	500	2.8	1,400.00
Administrative Cost	Rent cost for library centres Training Librarians			1,081.00
TOTAL				11,891.00