The initiative was attended by the President of the Chibuto Municipal Council, Dr. Henriques Machava, the representative of the Director of the Chibuto District Service of Education, Youth, and Technology, Emília Fote, and the Director of Chimundo Secondary School, Professor Juvêncio Macuácua, who highlighted the importance of creating this space for young students to develop their reading and writing skills, stating that "it will elevate the quality of education."
For around 3,527 young people from 7th to 12th grade, it is now possible to read and study in the new space. This library is the 31st in the School Libraries Network of the Chibuto district, a significant milestone in AIDGLOBAL's commitment to promoting access to books among an increasing number of students and teachers in the Chibuto district. The newly inaugurated library has three rooms: one where the books are stored, a reading room, and a room that functions as an Infotheque. To equip them, AIDGLOBAL donated five computers, eighteen chairs, three bookshelves, five tables, and an initial collection of 500 books, selected to meet the educational and cultural needs of students and teachers. The materials provided are the result of several donations collected in Portugal and sent to Mozambique in a container in 2020.
The library is a reading space and a learning and resource center for the school community. "For Mozambique, the library is also a place of study where children and young people can get a textbook, a book to read, a book to dream, and sit down. It's about having a space where they can study," commented Susana Damasceno, President of the Board of AIDGLOBAL, at the inauguration ceremony.
It is important to emphasize the valuable work of volunteer Rita Alves, who helped organize this library by dedicating her time to selecting, arranging, and cataloging the books and materials received.
The Chimundo Secondary School Library is the latest contribution from AIDGLOBAL under the “Passport to Reading” program, created in 2008, which is the largest intervention program in Mozambique. Through this program, the organization creates and equips libraries, promotes reading activities, and trains technicians and teachers. In the area of promoting literacy, AIDGLOBAL is a partner of the District Service of Education, Youth, and Technology.
