Fulbright ETAs launch literacy project in Kenya

Two current Fulbright English Teaching Assistants, Nadja Umlauf and Elaine Ansah, have launched a new literacy project in Likoni, Kenya. 

The Likoni Library Project aims to help build students’ literacy skills and cultivate a love for reading by creating libraries and English-language enrichment programs in underserved schools throughout Likoni in Mombasa County. 

Since launching the project, the team has already raised over $5000, and has undertaken book drives at Yale University and several school sites within New York City. As a result, the team was recently able to launch the first school library at Mrima Mixed Secondary School, and are gearing up to launch a second library at Shika-Adabu Secondary School in the coming weeks. 

English-language enrichment programming will also be introduced through the libraries, in addition to creative writing workshops and book clubs which will engage many students throughout both schools. The Likoni Library Project has also recently introduced several scholarships for high-achieving, low-income students to further support their English-language learning and foster student leadership skills. To date, eight students have received a full-tuition scholarship, and have been tasked with managing the library collections while they serve as library ambassadors to help ingratiate a culture of reading within their school communities and with their peers. 

Following the launch of the project, Nadja and Elaine said: 

It has been incredible seeing our students’ curiosity expand as we’ve been exposing them to more reading resources in their community, especially after the launch of the new library at Mrima Mixed Secondary School. We believe that this is just a small fraction of the impact the project will have on developing a culture of reading among students as they work to improve their literacy skills. Throughout the last few months here in Mombasa, we’ve seen our students grow tremendously through their English-language reading and speaking. With many of our English Access students, their confidence levels and leadership abilities have truly blossomed. We’re excited to see how much work can be done over the next few months, and how much our students can grow.

You can support the Likoni Library Project by donating to their GoFundMe or purchasing books from their Amazon wishlist which will continue to support the schools in Likoni, in addition to the English-language programming that is already underway.