How can we talk about transformation without considering the individual lives touched by our work within the community? Could it be that our library is opening avenues where deep, meaningful relationships are formed? Could it be a place where the souls of children and adults alike are prepared to receive the gospel?
Since we opened our library, its reputation has spread far and wide, drawing children from everywhere on Community Day to read and play together. But why is a library so crucial to our community? The answer is simple: many children here have no access to books, and the levels of illiteracy among both children and adults are staggering.
Despite many children being unable to read initially, the availability of books in our library has opened countless opportunities for them to explore the world beyond their minds’ eye. In 2020, three young girls—Ireen, Blessings, and Walusungu—heard about our library from friends. At the time, the girls didn’t know each other. Ireen and Blessings were 8 years old, and Walusungu, the oldest, was 10.
Curious, they decided to visit the library on Community Day. Walusungu recalls her first visit vividly: “When I came to the library, I was amazed at the number of books on the shelves and the kids reading on the mats. Outside, children were playing games, and everyone seemed to be having so much fun. I wondered why I hadn't discovered the library sooner. I wanted to be a part of it and immediately thought about getting involved.”
Determined, Walusungu committed to the different library activities and got acquainted with the library staff. However, she faced a challenge—she wasn’t a good reader. How would she enjoy these books if the words seemed to slip away from her? How would she laugh, smile, or frown like the other kids when they read? Committed to learning, Walusungu spent time with the Impact One staff members and volunteers who read to her and encouraged her to learn to read. Gradually, with much practice and effort, her reading improved, and soon, everyone, including her class teacher noticed her progress.
Today, Ireen, Blessings, and Walusungu, now 12 and 14 years old, are veteran library members. But what makes their story remarkable is the tremendous progress they’ve made in not just reading fluently but also speaking articulately. Their friendship has grown over the years, and they participate in our Comprehension Quiz Challenge, which encourages critical thinking and cognitive development—disciplines that the girls attribute to their growth. Through this challenge, Ireen and Walusungu have won Bibles, which they cherish to deepen their faith. Walusungu says, “Learning to read has given me a new understanding of the Bible. I not only read the words, but I can also understand them.”
Blessings adds, “This place has become like home. It’s here where I met Ireen and Walusungu. It’s here where I learned to read. I don’t want to stop coming to the library.”
Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of children that attend Community Day, from 400 kids to 750 kids each week! This is a positive indication of how the library is encouraging children to develop an appreciation for books and learning. Apart from that, the library is a place where friendships are formed and where people can discover their purpose and place in this vast world.
As we look to the future, we see these young readers as the seeds of transformation within our community. They remind us that every story begins with a single page, and with each turn, they bring us closer to a brighter, more literate future.