22 Apr 2015

The Maun Library children’s corner will be uplifted to better standards through an operation between the POETAVANGO Spoken Word Poetry Movement and the United States (US) Embassy.

In an interview, the POETAVANGO events manager, Thato Molosi said the corner to be known as the American corner will have improved internet speed, equipment and increased library books.

Molosi said the facelift exercise, which is anticipated to be completed by June this year will raise the stature of the library. Activities such as story-telling and poetry recital will be held by the poetry movement at the library, which will be the steward of the American corner for a period of 12 months.

Meanwhile, an American artist, Dasha Kelly who was recently in Maun performed at a POETAVANGO open session, engaged in mentoring young people.  In an interview, Kelly said she used poetry as a tool to make people realise their worth. 

The author of a soon to be released novel, Almost Crimson addressed young people at Maun Library, Maun Senior Secondary School and Botho College. She noted that her dislike for poetry while young changed after she realised the impact poetry had on people.

The woman now uses poetry to mentor people in her home country and worldwide such as prison inmates, college students, lecturers and the youth. Kelly added that she enjoyed working with young people and that some young people ended up becoming poets.

Her novel will be launched in the US in May as well as in Maun at the famous Maun International Arts Festival 2015. Kelly, who grew up in Milwaukee and travelled the world with her father, reminded young people that every person has a story to tell. ENDS