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News
from the visit Jane Brown and Vickie made to Kabubbu:
The visit that Jane Brown, a professional fundraiser from the UK and
Vickie made to Kabubbu in September 2003 was intensely valuable and vast
amounts were achieved. It was fantastic to see what a success story
Kabubbu Community Library Service has become in the last 6 months.
The Librarians, Library Committee, Community and dedicated volunteers have
managed the development of an outstanding library service. Library
users within the Community and beyond have responded with enthusiasm and
commitment to the diversity of learning opportunities which are now
available to them.
The greatest impact has been made by the Literacy / Numeracy classes and
the Literacy Competition which provided an opportunity to celebrate the
achievements and creativity of the Community. Clearly the empowered
people are growing in stature daily and were keen to demonstrate this to
us. Local students and adult readers are also supported and
fulfilled by the books which the library gives them access to. More
importantly, they see this as just the beginning and have asked for help
designing greater roles and responsibilities for the Committee members to
enable them involve even more of the community and encourage voluntary
service to the Library.
In line with the policy of Kabubbu Community Library the activities
conducted from 11-22nd September tried to involve as many people in the
Community as possible. Activities included: children's school
holiday workshops for all ages; Literacy, Illustration / Performing Arts
Competitions for adults / children; employment / study skill development
workshops; networking with useful organisations in Uganda and
sustainability planning (inc: fund-raising, volunteering, management and
responsibilities).
The Literacy and Illustration Competition attracted 88 participants and
400 spectators. Participation in the Literacy Competition
represented a great achievement for the entrants. Many have been
attending Literacy classes run by Kabubbu Community Library for the last 6
months, which has given them the confidence to compete. Members of
the Red Literacy Class were able to read short stories in English, when
they were previously unable to read in English. The event won praise
from The Primary Education Officer from the Uganda Ministry of Education,
The Director of the East African School of Library Science, the UNESCO
Secretary General in Uganda, Macmillan Publishers and local Councillors /
Chiefs who attended. Competitors received great encouragement
from medals (donated by the UNESCO Youth Ambassador) and certificates
which were awarded. Certificates were also given to local volunteers
who had worked very hard to support the Library Service and make it such a
success. This is the first step in recognising the value of
voluntary contributions and encouraging more people to become involved in
organising their own groups / clubs and activities using library
resources. Uganda TV made a report on the Literacy Competition for
the Evening News. Art from the children's activities earlier in the
week made splendid decorations of waving hands surrounding the Competition
area.
Jane Brown, a professional fundraiser, gave 5, 3 hour, classes on making
funding approaches to organisations, in order to prepare the Community to
sustain the Library in the future. An application letter and
information leaflet had been completed by the end of the week and
delivered to a possible funder. In addition to this Library Committee
members were involved in meetings with Library and Educational
professionals and shown how to establish networks of helpful contacts with
relevant organisations.
Reading glasses were issued to committed Literacy Students whose sight was
hindering their study. Members of the Green Literacy Class were able
to sign for their glasses as they have learned to write their names in the
last 6 months.
'Development Clubs' which are independent study groups with the aim of
using library resources to boost employment skills in Kabubbu, were
launched. The groups were shown the library resources available to
help them and group study skills and problem solving were discussed.
A dedicated Library building is expected to be completed in December 2003
which will allow the Library to increase it's opening hours, maximising
the benefit of the Library Service to the Community. In February
2004 a carpentry workshop is planned to increase local carpentry skills by
making furniture for the new Library room. The Teacher of the Year
has very kindly agreed to donate £200 of her award to supporting the
carpenters with tools and materials for this workshop. Outreach
programmes, more children's educational activities and current affairs
discussion groups, using the new radio for stimulus, are planned future
enhancements to the Library Services.
Recently a volunteer (Ged), experienced in setting up computer networks,
has expressed an interest in providing 20 computers and installation, for
a computer centre near Kabubbu. This will contribute to the
sustainability plan for the library by providing some income generating
services and a young man in Kabubbu is currently preparing the business
plan for this project and seeking an ethical investor to back it.
In August 2003 Vickie became the Liaison for the UNESCO Youth Ambassador
in Uganda and in turn has
appointed a Co-Liaison from Kabubbu to help her. This has enabled
Vickie to network with many indigenous organisations in Uganda who are now
working in fruitful partnership with Kabubbu Community Library Service.
For example, UNESCO Uganda, who are planning a work camp in Kabubbu on Health Issues and The Pigeons
a group of young people raising awareness about AIDS to their
peers, through music and drama. I feel that these relationships have
the potential to deliver huge benefits to Kabubbu and will protect the
Library Service from isolation, as it is an extremely worthwhile project.
www.unesco.co.uk
Vickie's
Web site
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