In June 2023, 10 volunteers traveled from the USA to Nambacha, Kenya to finish Pater’s future library. The group spent the day painting walls, assembling shelves, arranging donated books, and inviting kids to visit. There was great anticipation for the first kids from the community to preview what was to come: a location they could call their own.

Over 100 kids attended in the 2 hours after school let out that day. Many children could not believe the colorful, interesting picture books were for them right there in Nambacha. “How much was it going to cost my family? We don’t have much money!” one child asked skeptically. On being reassured that the library was due to generous support from donors, the kids were delighted. They flipped through picture books of all kinds excitedly. During the reading session, they all quieted down and listened attentively. Kids stood or sat on a mat we had brought and heard what was read with delight.

As we closed the successful preview day, the repeated question from students was “When exactly in 2024 do you intend to open the library?” With generous donations, we hope to finish several remaining items for the library to officially open, such as: hiring a librarian, government registration of the library, furniture, electricity to light up the room, and water for the boys and girls bathrooms.