Today, we launched Hazina House, our new library based at our Community Center and it was a great day!
Hazina House came together in partnership with Pocket Libraries, a library initiative that brings books and reading spaces to communities that often lack easy access to them. When we first started talking about building a library at our center, we knew we wanted it to feel like it truly belonged to the young people here and to be a space they would want to spend time in.
Hazina means treasure in Kiswahili. The name was inspired by our children’s book, Kibera’s Unexpected Treasure, and our belief that a library truly is a treasure for young people who are still figuring out what they love and what they are good at. For most young people we work with, books, especially creative and fiction books that are not within the education system, are not freely accessible. But we know that books have the power to open readers to new worlds and inspire new dreams.
The day of the launch, our Golden Girls were among the first to walk in. Watching their excitement and awe was the highlight of our day. They went straight for the shelves, picked up books, and honestly looked like they had no plans to leave anytime soon. For the young people in our programs, having a library at their center means they do not have to go far to find a good book. They can come in, take their time, and just read. It is a small thing on the surface, but it means a lot in practice.
We are grateful to Pocket Libraries for making this a reality and to every individual who donated to make this space possible. You helped us do something that will keep giving for a long time.
Hazina House is open, but we are still filling the shelves. We would love to receive children’s storybooks and academic books. If you have any at home that you would like to pass on to young readers who will genuinely use them, please get in touch with us, and we will sort out the rest!
Every great reader started somewhere. For the young people at Uweza, that somewhere is Hazina House, and it is just getting started.
