A String of Stories
Stories have always played an important part in my life. Every evening my parents read a story to me until I could read myself. Soon afterwards I became a member of the local library in my village. I grew up in in a world which stories became my reality.
When I retired, I decided to supply libraries with books through Bookfeeding . My travels to several countries in Africa were a source of inspiration. My passion for Africa knew no bounds, and this could very well be the reason why I started sending books to Norton in Zimbabwe and Kasese in Uganda. Of course I also wanted to visit these libraries and have actually done so in the past few years.
My partner Eusebius and I left on January 27th of 2022 for Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Next we took the bus to Kasese. Costa and Henry (the people I had contact with) were waiting for us. Our suitcases were hoisted on motorcycles and we climbed on the back. In this manner we raced to the apartment where we would stay for the coming weeks.
The next day we went to the library in Kidodo, somewhere on the southern edge of town close to the Savannah. The villagers live not far from the library.
On the way to the library we passed a group of young motorcycle taxi drivers waiting for customers. Even though we enjoyed the one hour walk to the library very much, once in a while we used a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). The men did not shy away from piling up weight and volume in front of them and sometimes two or three passengers behind them and in such a manner racing to the desired destination. We really had to get used to it.
With my puppets and a bag full of books clenching, we shot over muddy foot paths and crowded thoroughfares while the motorcyclist avoided dexterously potholes and rocks on the road.
The library in Kasese is now well stocked with children books and puppets.
Enthusiastically I started reading stories to the children moving the puppets on strings. An age old tradition all over Africa. Of course little elephant Babar and naughty Pinocchio turned up too in my stories!
Sumaya, a girl of eight years old, showed up almost every day in the library. Her mother works in Queen Elizabeth National Park gathering firewood to sell in the market. Money for school education she cannot pay unfortunately.
The library became for Sumaya and other children a place of inspiration where they could feel at home. They played games and read books. Eusebius and I read books to the children who then - after listening to the stories - drew pictures and knocked up all kinds of handy work.
Thinking up means to generate income Eusebius came up with the idea to grow mushrooms, which is so easy that everyone can learn. Crushing oil from seeds and nuts was the next project. We introduced a Dutch made contraption, which can even be operated by children producing around 5 liters of oil an hour. The oil can be used for own consumption and sale on the market.
Thanks to Costa and Henry the library has become a meeting place for the locals. Beekeepers, farmers and the dress makers (seamstresses) from the sewing workshop next to the library come here to exchange ideas and discuss ways to sell their products.
Costa Masereka is man full of animated thoughts. On his own he has published a Lhukonzo English dictionary. In these days when languages disappear it is important that people dedicate themselves to preserving a language even if there is only one person left speaking that language is his conviction.
He has initiated mushroom growing and the production of oil in Kasese.
Henry Baluku is a pastor and advocates peace and veganism. Let's adopt simple local meals to avoid hypertension diabetes and cancer is the message he brings to the local community.
Following these lines he stimulates mushroom growing and the production of oil from nuts and seeds found in the direct vicinity.
He has shown deep interest in the library.
Thanks to the generous contribution of my sister Cora and her husband Pim, the seamstresses in the sewing workshop next to the library, have been able to acquire 6 sewing machines. They can now support their families. Hereby they want to express their gratitude to Cora and Pim.
- Anna, BF volunteer from the Netherlands
