This past week at Hatua Network we were happy to host one of our biggest donors to our community libraries in Likoni and Mvita. The American Friends of Kenya are one of the donors that have seen Hatua grow over the years. After 13 years of offering library services to our community in Likoni Hatua has grown and expanded beyond Likoni. For the first time since its inception, Hatua Network now offers library services to Mvita residents. This growth is directly linked to the support and commitment of the American Friends of Kenya to sending books, promoting parent involvement, encouraging professional development, and creating networks to foster communication among communities.
Basic School Library Management
This year the visit was geared towards conducting pieces of training for Fellows and teacher librarians. Also, the Network was in the company of volunteers from different professions who were happy to share their knowledge with members from our community. This training was intended to familiarize the trainees with Basic School Library Management Skills. The fellows and teacher-librarians at our first three Mvita community libraries are now fully prepared to serve the needs of the learners with improved skills.
Financial Literacy Training
Secondly, the AFK network of volunteers shared eye-opening financial literacy skills with our gap year students. Basic financial management skills are key among the youth headed to joining institutions of higher education. The areas that were covered include budgeting, savings, and financial borrowing. At the end of the day, the 44 students had a good understanding of loans offered by various financial institutions more especially the Higher Education Loans provided by the Ministry of Education.
Family Strengthening
Parental involvement is always key to student performance. As an organization supporting education among youth, we are keen on giving all the stakeholders a chance to contribute towards the quality of education and values the students tap to. Teachers, parents, sponsors and the students themselves have to understand this truth. The distinctive approach was taken by AFK to enlighten the 50 participants shed light on the magnitude of their role as parents. Even with the presence of an organization of Hatua’ standing the role of the parent is still vital and hard to replace.
Book Club
A book club is a group of people reading a book together. Usually, a book is chosen based on a certain topic and it’s discussed subsequently. AFK facilitated a book club consisting of 12 High School students from Mrima Secondary School and eight Hatua Network Gap year students. The “HOLE” by Nicholas Sachar is the title of the book. The book club is a motivating way of reading especially when you know discussing the story with your peers, said Kome, one of the participating students.
AFK and AMI Visit Mvita Libraries
AFK and AMI team posing for a photo after visiting sacred heart primary school community library
Nothing in this life can become so successful without the cooperation others with similar beliefs as yours. Just like AFK has supported the Hatua community library in Likoni, through the years, Early this year, AMI Worldwide Kenyan office donated 1.5 Million towards the operations of School community libraries in Mvita. We were honored to host both AMI Worldwide and AFK at our Sacred Heart Primary School Community Library. Someone would tell for sure, the commitment from the three organizations in supporting youth education is a miracle in progress. The tour gave them the real touch with the difference they’re making by donating to support libraries.
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