Celebrating success and looking to the future

On 2 May 2024 we celebrated the renovated and expanded Lubuto Model Library, the new Lubuto Center for Training and Administration, and the whole Lubuto Library Network in Lusaka. The updated Model Library--along with four other Lubuto libraries--received funds for construction, book collections, technology, and other educational tools from USAID's American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Initiative.

Lubuto Founder and President Jane Kinney Meyers welcomed the exuberant audience of more than 800 guests to the celebration and gave a brief history of Lubuto, its grassroots foundation, our indispensable partners, what we have learned over the years, and how we have adapted to community needs.

Lubuto's Zambia Board, representative of the Minister of Education Hon. Douglas Syakalima, local officials, and emcee Jabulani Moyo joined the event in person, while Dr. Kenneth Meyers introduced a video statement by Lubuto key supporter Mark Chona.

Director of Operations Hadassah Kasukumya looked towards Lubuto's future, strengthening existing supporting relationships while building new sustaining partnerships within Zambia and regionally. She also introduced special guest Linnisa Wahid, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, who underscored the United States' commitment to the library network and described how Lubuto services "develop future leaders who can participate more fully in their communities."

Between Jane's presentation on Lubuto's past and Hadassah's on its future, Lubuto Model Library Manager Given Besa introduced the community that has enjoyed and been enriched by this library's beloved programs and print (including Braille) and digital resources, along with the library's new Early Learning and Teen Centers. After recognizing Lubuto's talented and dedicated staff, and other contributors to the libraries' success, Besa turned the podium over to Mercy Naulapwa and Musa Zulu. We were all so touched by the testimonials they gave to the impact we've had on their lives and think you'll enjoy seeing their videos too:

"The Mercy you see today is all because of Lubuto" (2.5 min) Mercy enthusiastically told us how regularly participating in several programs throughout her childhood transformed her life
"I am a superstar who is going to shine in the whole wide world" (5 min) Musa attributed his success as an actor and leader to role model Kenny Hau's mentoring and drama programs

In the days that followed the celebration, it was made abundantly clear how happy children are that their library is finally open again. They came by the hundreds every day to revisit their favorite books and discover new ones, to play games with their friends, and to enjoy familiar and new programs.

2022-2023 annual report

Our 2020 and 2021 annual reports told our stories of the Covid shutdown and the fire at the Model Library. These, among other obstacles, caused young people to be dispersed from their beloved libraries and to experience isolation. Lubuto has always understood that the solution to isolation is connection. Post-Covid and building of the Model Library in 2022-23 allowed us to focus on connection and re-connection with the children in our communities. Click here to learn more in our annual report.