With the new libraries at Coca-Missava and Mahuntsane primary schools, the network supported by the organisation in Gaza Province, Mozambique, now has 33 libraries.
Chibuto Municipal Library, in Gaza Province, Mozambique, reopened on 4 October with a new space for children, equipped with hundreds of children’s books, games and toys donated by AIDGLOBAL. Also in October, two new school libraries set up with the organisation’s support opened at Coca-Missava and Mahuntsane primary schools, bringing the number of libraries supported by AIDGLOBAL to 33.
“AIDGLOBAL reaffirms its commitment to filling Mozambique with books, a mission it has pursued for 21 years, an anniversary we will celebrate on 4 November. Books give meaning to our lives and open the door to knowledge, even more so in remote places in great need, such as the district of Chibuto,” says Susana Damasceno, founder of AIDGLOBAL.
For the reopening, the Municipal Library’s collection was renewed with more than 1,300 new books, adding to the 5,000 that AIDGLOBAL donated when the library first opened.
Two new school libraries
The two new libraries open in the month of International School Library Day, celebrated this year on 26 October.
Coca-Missava Primary School, which currently has 1,449 students and 27 teachers, received 795 books, bookshelves and paint. Mahuntsane Primary School, with 725 students and 24 teachers, received 712 books, bookshelves, tables, chairs and cement for laying the floor.
The purchase of materials and support for the refurbishment of the two rooms were made possible by START. SOCIAL, which marked its 25th anniversary by supporting literacy in Mozambique.
In the days leading up to the reopening, the AIDGLOBAL team organised and prepared the resources with the help of young Europeans who travelled to Mozambique to take part in the International Camp run under the project “Ecoality: Youth and Local Authorities Together for Climate and Gender Justice”.
A network built since 2011
Chibuto Municipal Library is part of the Chibuto District School Library Network (RBEDC), created in 2011–2012 with co-funding from Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language.
By training teachers and creating suitable learning environments, AIDGLOBAL promotes literacy and reading in Gaza Province, as well as access to knowledge for children, young people and adults in Chibuto.
This initiative is part of the “Passaporte para a Leitura” (Passport to Reading) programme, created in 2008 – AIDGLOBAL’s largest programme in Mozambique to fight illiteracy and encourage reading. Through it, the organisation creates, equips and supports municipal and school libraries in Gaza Province, runs reading activities and trains library technicians and teacher-librarians.
