05 Dec 2017

Sebina library, built back in 2008 as a donation from Mr Bob Rothchild has seen its first batch of toddlers graduating to start their primary school next year.

Briefing the gathering at the graduation ceremony, principal library officer Ms Chikana Madubeko said it was the first time since they started the class two years back that they have had a graduation.

Ms Madubeko pointed out that as library staff they started the class as a way of giving back to the community.

Their target, she said, was to enrol children from marginalised families as many of such families could not manage to take their children to private pre-schools.

Many of such children often remain home in some instances without the care of anyone or are left at the neighbours and even with their grandparents.

She further highlighted that since they started they received a positive feedback from the community at large to the extent that even some capable parents started bringing their children.

She said their target age group was three to five years.

She added that they aimed at giving the fundamental foundation which would open their mind to bigger learning.

Since they did not have funds to employ a full time teacher, they engaged a volunteer, whom they have, through the support from other stakeholders, given her temporary employment.

This year’s class, Ms Madubeko said had 45 pupils with 22 graduating to primary school.

Meanwhile, outlining their challenges, she decried lack of support and less use of the library by the community, adding that in their area, it is only Sebina that does not have a library committee, whereas it is the main pillar in driving all initiatives taking place within the facility.

She implored the community leadership to sensitise the community about the importance of making use of the facility.

She further stated that it has come to their attention that there are some parents who forbid their children from borrowing library books because if lost they would be asked to pay for them.

She advised parents to encourage their children to take a good care of the books. BOPA