We are very proud to support the Zambuko Community Library. The opportunity to read and borrow books is key in advancing educational process for everyone in rural communities of Zimbabwe. Over the past 10 years, some 6,000 books have been shipped from the UK to the Library. The local community worked tirelessly to create the building and have developed partnerships with 16 local schools where they deliver library books fortnightly on bicycles.

Our neighbour, Jane Tarr, visited Zimbabwe following the trail of her aunt who was a Franciscan missionary nun. While there, Jane, who is a musician as well as an educationalist at the University of the West of England, Bristol, wanted to collect new tunes to play on her mbira (thumb piano). At the end of a week’s stay in Chiriseri, Bindura, the home of her friend and mbira teacher Chartwell Dutiro, the leader of the community, Dominic Mandere, requested something in exchange for the new tunes she had learned and he asked for books, as they had schools, but no books. This was the beginning of the Zambuko Community Library Project.

 To date there are 3 female librarians, one partnership worker, a night watchman and an administrator. These workers receive a small contribution from the UK to encourage and support the work they are doing – £200 per month 

More communities are following their example.  Mataga is now ready to build its own library and is awaiting boxes of books, bicycles and some funds for local materials. We need £1500 to transport 60 boxes of books  and £1500 for purchase of materials required – bicycles, cement, roof poles, window panes and frames, secure doors and flooring for this year

Two further communities near to Victoria Falls in Matebeleland Province are enthusiastic to create a library. The first already has a community hall they wish to complete. They also require £1500 to transport 60 boxes of books from UK to the community.

The second group are the Muunde community in Binga who are keen to start baking bricks and begin building a library for their children and families. They are calling their library the Lusumpuko (meaning ‘development’) Community Library.   Between them they need £6000 pounds for transportation of books, bicycles and building costs.

The growth of the Community Libraries in rural Zimbabwe is very exciting and your financial contribution will make this possible. Small sums of money can make a big difference in the lives of families. Do explore the website www.zambukocommunitylibrary.org.uk