From Disused Shipping Containers, a Library and Computer Lab is Constructed for Orphaned Children in Zambia Thanks to the Supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®

Although the Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, has had a library for the orphaned and destitute children and youth living there for many years, its materials were what Sima Miyanda described as “old, worn and out of date.”

That was its status until Bread and Water for Africa® Executive Director Beth Tessema was on one of her regular site visits to Kabwata about two years ago and noticed that most all of the children were watching “junk” on television when they could have been reading books of their choice for pleasure or learning technical skills on a computer.

“The need for the new library was identified when it was observed that the children were being distracted by too much television,” says Sima. “On further analysis, it was noticed that a number of them had limited the scope of their future to the boundaries of the Kabwata home.”

It was then that Beth and Sima teamed up to change the children’s way of thinking, and literally transform their lives.

“The library project was conceived as a means to motivate and encourage the children to study and expand their minds,” said Sima who oversaw the project, as well as “to provide them with a place for positive mental growth and stimulation and as a countermeasure against the influences of television and the media.

“Ultimately, we hope that through the implementation of this project the children will be better equipped to face life after they leave our care and reintegrate into society.”

Once the decision was made to construct a new library, the next step was where to locate it on the relatively small campus surrounded by the vast environs of the urban capital city. As space was already tight with sleeping quarters for the children, a kitchen and dining room, and more, Beth and Sima knew that there was no place to fit in another building.

That’s when they came up with the idea to utilize three disused 53-foot shipping containers taking up space on the compound for the library structure which would require movement into place utilizing a forklift and then further manipulation of the containers that would require the skills of a welder/metal fabricator, an electrician and a carpenter.

And over the course of the past year, their dream for the children of Kabwata became reality thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®.

In June, Sima reported that a forklift operator had been hired to rearrange the position of the shipping container that forms the main structure of the new library in order for it to be placed atop a custom-built platform that was designed to elevate it.

“Following this,” Sima explained, “a metal fabricator and carpenter were hired to make shelves for the interior. Additionally, an electrician was brought in to resolve the electrical and wiring needs of the library.”

The impact on the children has been immediate.

“Having only recently been completed and stocked it is important to note that throughout the construction process, and indeed upon completion, a sharp marked interest in the facility and its usage has already been noticed in the children.

“The air of expectation and inquisitiveness was clear to see.”

In addition to hundreds of new books, the program includes computers and two teachers who will be managing the library and developing reading programs tailored for the children according to their individual levels.

And Sima and Beth are already making big plans to create a computer lab to prepare the children for the digital future.

“We have identified room to upgrade the existing computers to standards that will be ideal for them to acquire more current technical skills,” said Sima. “Down the line we hope to explore in more depth the possibilities that having computers at the home provides – including introducing the children to coding.”

Sima went on to say, “Our most significant achievement in the implementation of the library project is seeing the vision finally completed.

“We are very proud to share the achievement and strides that program has made through the completion of the library project.

“What started out as a conversation on the well-being of the children and their after-school activities quickly evolved through determination and generosity into a wonderful resource that will be a blessing to the children in the home – now and years into the future.

“This endeavour would not have been at all possible without the support and motivation of the American people through Bread and Water for Africa®.

“We are forever grateful and thank you for your partnership and support.”