Develop the Library

Our Nhimbe Library has come so far since 2001!  We began, very early on, to see the enormous need for books in the rural area.  The story we hear from everyone is that only universities have libraries.  So, we have a real treasure right there in the midst of the rural area!

If you are interested in donating toward the library function, there are several ways that funds are used:

• We pay a librarian to help keep things in order and follow up on the books’ whereabouts.  We had an unfortunate situation many years ago where one or more people took the books home and then set about to sell them.  So, after that we discontinued letting the books out.  But recently, things have changed.  If someone is well known to the librarian, she might let a book leave the premises.
• Zimbabwe is a bilingual country, and English is the 2nd language.  But all exams are in English, so it is crucial for empowerment to be able to read and write English.  However, the original language carries nuances that are non-translatable into English, so it’s an important part of the villager’s heritage to also have Shona books, and we want to purchase more.  Shona students of today are actually not versed in what they call “deep Shona,” which is ancient.  They have to call on an elder for translation.  We are watching a language gradually be replaced…let’s not allow that to happen.
• We print a small accordion-style, one-page booklet for the preschoolers born out of inspiration from the Red Zebra project.  This gives every child a book to learn numbers and animals in Shona and English.  It’s a clever use of paper and information to get the little ones started early being able and interested in learning and books. This pre-sets a belief that having a book for yourself is a basic, thereby moving forward in life with that expectancy.
• We have implemented an idea for helping to organize the books based upon their simple reading category, by using a binding tape in different colors. 
• Eventually, to have some furnishings would be a real expanded idea. We have little in the way of tables and chairs, so people take seats anywhere they can find a place to be.  The floor or the field, it doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that they are getting this incredible opportunity to read!
• Bookcases are limited, and not really made for library shelving.  With time we will have some improved shelving.

If you would like to donate a book, or a few books, please mail them to the PO box 346 Scio OR address.  But first, check out this google doc that shows just what we have on hand. This will help to assure that we have the very best selection there.

• The red color indicates a questionable spelling.
• The green indicates missing info.
• Mid-way on the “Edit” part of the menu, you can use the “Find/Replace” function to see if a word in the title you have in mind is found in our register. Once you have clicked on Find (replace will be grey), you must click on Find in the new window.  For instance, if you enter “elephant” then click find, notice the excel sheet cell that is highlighted has the first occurrence of elephant in the title. Click again and it will find the next occurrence.
• On the Data part of the menu, you can click on Sort so it will be sorted into an organization that suits your preference.

Please think about your favorite books as a child.  We want the best in literature to stimulate their minds and whet their appetite for knowledge, reading, education, etc.  If we send the discard pile from our local US libraries, it will not serve the goal.  Thank you for your generosity!  This is how the Nhimbe Library has been built!