Street Library Ghana

Street Library Ghana
Founded 2011
Location
Area served
West Africa
Key people
 Hayford Siaw (Founder and President)
Website www.streetlibraryghana.org

Street Library Ghana (SLG) is a volunteer-driven, social enterprise based in Ghana, which aims to promote better life opportunities for children and youth in vulnerable communities by addressing literacy and education issues.

SLG offers a cost effective, less intimidating, and welcoming library concept in rural communities to reach vulnerable and underserved children to provide them with access to quality literature. Modes of operation are by mobile van, book kiosk, book chest for community and schools and digital access. The street library model also involves deployment of trained staff or local/international volunteers to actively engage children in activities such as mentorship and leadership training, reading and educational exercises.

History

Growing up as a child, Hayford lived in several parts of Ghana because of his father's job. In all these ten communities he lived before completing basic schooling, only once did he have the opportunity to attend a library, in the capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana. He grew a love for reading, which eventually helped him venture into development work, where he continually encountered many children in rural communities who have no access to reading books other than their school notes. Many children as old as 18 years were illiterate. Indeed, in summer of 2011, while he was conducting interviews with villagers for some health-based field research, he came to understand the grave effect that a lack of literacy and a basic education has on a population's health. The misconceptions based on ignorance he witnessed were overwhelming and disheartening. This realization ultimately led to an in-depth understanding of some deeply rooted societal issues related to the lack of basic education. In August 2011, Hayford started a mobile library by collecting books from volunteers into his car trunk to make them available to children in rural villages. Working closely with communities, Hayford moved his car into communities inviting children to read. In early 2012, Street Library was selected in to the Reach for Change three-year incubation program where funding and technical support are provided to help early start-up child centered initiatives flourish. The Global Fund for Children has since also supported Street Library in diverse ways to increase its impact, footprint and growth.

Mission and objectives

Problems being addressed

Ghana has a rather low literacy rate of 71.5% for age 15 and over, due in part to a severe lack of educational infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. A chronic lack of exposure to engaging reading material inhibits the cultivation of interest in reading. Indeed, book and other literature (e.g. newspapers) consumption in Ghana is relatively low, for numerous reasons, including a shortfalls in the quality and quantity of public libraries (only 63 in a population of 25 million, or approximately 400,000 people per library), a low average income, high cost of printed material, and a lack of appealing publications in both English and other indigenous languages.

The founder and president of Street Library Ghana, Hayford Siaw, asserts that the concept of the street library does not need a physical structure to create opportunities for the children to read with there being no need for children to be denied the opportunity to read just because government does not have the money to build a library for them.[1]

SLG aims to addresses the lack of reading material by providing access to various styles of literature, using high quality and engaging titles. The program attempts to distinguish itself from regular library initiatives in that outreach to children is amplified by engagement and literacy activities that make reading and learning enjoyable and desirable. This in turn, is expected to increase academic performance across all reading-related subjects, feeding a positive cycle of improving motivation, performance and attitude towards education.

Programs

In providing books, library services, literacy training, SLG operates via four modalities; mobile van, book chest, reading hub, and digital app. Each meets needs in a particular manner:

Partnerships

Volunteering

Through its close relationship with Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa (VPWA), SLG has been engaged in volunteer recruitment and placement since 2011. It recognizes the role of volunteers in its areas of operation. The recruitment process allows both skilled professionals and students to work with SLG and its partner projects, and contributes directly to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Local and international volunteers are accepted, and beside onsite volunteering, those unable to travel to Ghana are given the opportunity to work virtually with SLG through the United Nations Volunteers Online Volunteering Service.

Various opportunities are frequently published and updated on both SLG and VPWA websites.

Funding

Street Library Ghana currently relies on multiple funding streams to sustain its initiatives. As a non-profit organization, Street Library is primarily funded by seeking competitive grants from dedicated donor and development agencies, as well as corporate sponsorship. Notable large sponsors include Global Fund for Children, Reach for Change; telecommunications company Tigo, and Television Corporation ViaSat 1.[2] Donations are sometimes received from civic organizations and individuals via book drives. A volunteer internship fee provides a regular stream of income.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Ryan, Orla. "Children's fund scouts for partners in Ghana". FT. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Street Library launches nation-wide book drive". Retrieved 24 December 2013.
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