The shelves are filled with books!
It’s long been a dream at Every Orphan’s Hope to have books readily accessible for the children we serve. A library in Zambia impacts literacy as much as it does anywhere else in the world. After years of dreaming and praying, we opened TWO libraries this summer – one for the Family Homes and one for the Baby Homes!
Family Homes Library
When the community center was completed last year on the Chongwe Family Homes property, we knew we wanted this to include a library and computer lab. As Zambian public schools experience massive overcrowding, shortened school days, and overloaded teachers, providing educational enrichment has become more critical than ever.
We shared our needs with A-Z Literacy Movement and they were thrilled to be involved! This US-based nonprofit focuses on improving children’s lives through literacy development, specifically in Zambia! They shipped 350 pounds of books to our Texas office, which we divided into seven 50-pound bags that our mission team checked on their flights to Lusaka.
Meanwhile, back in Zambia, the staff had tables, chairs, and shelves made in anticipation of the books’ arrival.
The mission teams from Valor Christian High School and Legacy Christian Academy sorted and organized the seven bags of books, and in a matter of hours, the library was open!
Immediately, the children were mesmerized by the books, asking mission team members to read to them while soaking up the words and pictures. A sense of empowerment quickly came over the faces of the older children as they perused the options. The joy and excitement was simply overwhelming!
The community aspect of the new Community Center reached a new dimension as kids were sharing books, chatting, laughing, and learning.
A-Z Literacy donated 350 pounds of books!
Susan and Monica share a book
The library helps create community
Baby Homes Library
In Lusaka, at the Baby Homes, the staff had been busy cleaning out an unused classroom with their minds set on transforming it into a beautiful and peaceful space for reading time.
The mission team from Purcellville Baptist Church was more than up for the task, as they painted the walls, filled the shelves, and helped the vision come to life!
The teachers are excited to have such a calming place to read to the children. The kids are equally happy to enjoy some independent time exploring the library!
These incredible additions are thanks to many people who have helped make this possible, from the staff in Zambia who prepared the way, to A-Z Literacy, who generously provided books, to every person who financially supported a mission team member whose hands placed the books on the shelves. THANK YOU!!!
This update comes from the 2023 Summer Ministry Update. You can read the complete newsletter below.