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Kampala, Uganda - Summer 2005 |
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Mission
accomplished!

A vacant room is turned into a library for students at Namirembe Primary School in Kampala.
 Opening Celebration Huge grins, shrieks of delight, twinkling eyes, sharing, laughter, and a sea of gratitude were all part of the day as students and teachers came to hold, look at, and check-out books from Namirembe Laurel Library. The awe on their faces was overwhelming as each child chose a book for the first time!
“This library is a very big gift that will directly benefit us and our other brothers and sisters in the coming generations,” Claire Kwagala, a beautiful young student, said at the opening celebration. A younger boy raised his hand to speak and then said gracefully and simply about those who were so generous, “They have blessed us. May He bless them.”
 Claire Kwagala The library was definitely a partnership between the
Laurel
Mountain Elementary community and
Namirembe School, as well as our many supporters. Namirembe head administrator said, "When someone is doing such a grand thing for us, we must do our part, also. Thank you!"
At left, Claire Kwagala smiles as she reads a book under a tree in the schoolyard. Claire gave a very inspired speech at the library dedication. Click to see a short video of Libraries of Love volunteers working with Ugandan helpers to build the library and fill it's shelves.
Click here for photo gallery of student readers.
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Namirembe Laurel Library - Updates |
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Excerpts from emails by Damallie Kibirige, Teacher & Librarian
Oct. 18, 2007
 Damallie Kibirige I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. How are you madam Trudy? We are also fine,trying to work and fit in society. How is Sarah, Paul, Recheal, Ruben and all you share your smile with?
... Am so so grateful for the call I got from you on 9th Oct. I was really elated. Greetings from teachers; they love you so much.
Am happy to tell you that I got a helper, P.2 teacher. She helps me with the work in the Library here. Pupils are busy using the library and they like it so much. Not even a single class to afford missing a day for checking out, that can not happen. And they know the time table very well; they always remind their teachers. So may God reward you always for the wonderful work.
How is Texas? Uganda is great, we are preparing for the Commonwealth meeting in November. About 52 member countries are expected to turn up for the meeting. We hope all will be well.
... I had forgotten to tell you that we still carry on library summary on Mondays and pupils like it so much. We always get two. And last Monday, we gave presents to all those who did it last term at assembly. This motivated them so much. So we know that they will improve on their comprehension very much. The 20-25 minute reading session is also maintained in the school and it will yield good results, that we are sure.
May God bless you.
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Email received Feb. 7, 2007, from Jane Semugoma, Namirembe Primary School Headteacher:
Dear Trudy,
I hope you’re having a good time with the children in the Library. We have also started the new academic year with a lot of vigour.
The children here are very seriously enjoying the library. The parents are so appreciative for the Library and we have got many new students/ children coming to our school because of both the library and the computers.
We are eagerly waiting to see you this summer holiday.
Greetings to the whole group.
God bless
Jane | |
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Namirembe Laurel Library visit |
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Libraries of Love Director Trudy Marshall held refresher training and met with administrators during a June 2006 visit. Top right, Henry Kitandwe, director of studies, with Trudy. At right, is David, headteacher at Ntinda Primary School; Jane Semugoma, headteacher at Namirembe Primary School, and Paul Gulale, deputy headteacher.
Photos of students and volunteers.
Notes from our director's travel blog:
June 6, 2006: Today, I did a drop-in visit on last year's library! I was thrilled with what was happening. A schedule is in place so each class comes to the library every two weeks. As I walked in the library, Damallie was teaching a review lesson to about 55 students on how to use the library. She would pause and they would fill in the blanks. For instance: If you look at a page and you do not know how to read five words, then you know the book is not on your ... "level" The class easily gave all the answers and then were quite efficient in using the library. |
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