Namanya Memorial Center
The Problem
Books are hard to come by in Uganda. Most parents will never buy a book for their children because they say “you can’t eat a book”, and it’s true.
Even the books used in schools are owned by the teachers and the children don’t have access to them outside of the classroom. It is hard to become a good reader and a confident student when you can’t get ahold of reading material and practice those important skills.
The Solution
The Namanya Memorial Center Library (NMCL) creates a brighter future for Ugandan children by providing books and opportunities they need to make learning interesting and accessible.
How NMCL Came to Be
In 2020, Namanya Hilary and his wife Winifred Blessing Barbra died in a car accident. In their grief, Namanya’s family was determined the couple’s heart for others and love of education would live on. Namanya’s mother, a retired teacher, took in their children and set about teaching the boys, Jethro and Jesse, to read.
As Namanya’s brother, Collins, reflected on the dreams he and his brother shared, he was struck by the lack of books for children in Uganda. Collins was a teenager before he held a book for the first time. He decided to build a library to open the doors of lifelong love of learning for Jethro, Jesse, and other Ugandan children. Generous donors made it possible to open the Namanya Memorial Community Library in July 2022.
What’s Happening Now
Today, Namanya Memorial Community library contains thousands of books to interest people of all ages. The library also offers computers and copies of the textbooks used in local schools. Generous donors even cover the school fees of children whose families cannot afford them . Fun activities like board game tournaments and spelling bees help children catch up and get ahead at school.
Collins and generous friends in the United States and Uganda, are raising money to fund library operations for the days, months, and years to come.
- Your gift of $25 could provide a child with the first book they ever read without assistance
- Your gift of $50 could provide the one-on-one help a child needs to catch up on missed schoolwork
- Your gift of $100 could provide fun learning activities for a group of children
- Your one-time or monthly gift of any amount brightens the future of Uganda’s youth.
What’s Next
The library is making an incredible difference for the whole community. NMCL exists thanks to generous donors and dedicated volunteers. Next, NMCL is working to add a skills learning center where young adults will one day receive vocational training. Will you help us continue this remarkable journey?
For updates, please visit https://nmclibrary.org/
