Shokola, a new trendy café in Kiyovu, on Thursday launched an African Literature Library.

According to the founder of Shokola, Amin Gafaranga, this is an intricate fusion of African flavors, textures, sights, sounds and aromas, thus making it possible for everyone to experience Africa’s greatness and purity.

"This small library is part of Shokola’s passion to celebrate Africa’s greatness through art and culture,” Gafaranga said.

To stir a strong reading culture among Rwandans, Shokola will be hosting a number of book clubs and a monthly reading event, which will include members reading a chapter from a particular book and then discussing the topic with a small group of friends or colleagues.

"Our clients have been using the café lounge for business meetings and to access the broadband wireless Internet,” Gafaranga said,

"However, after meeting Ambassador Perry, we were very inspired to also use this lounge as a library.

While speaking at the launch, Gafaranga stated that they did not expect the library to be only a place to read inspiring books on African, international magazines and newspapers, but most importantly, be a platform for young Rwandan scholars and future leaders to get a chance to discuss various social, economic and political issues that they can relate to in their daily lives and shape their future.

The Shokola library was inaugurated by Ambassador Cynthia Shepard who is currently working as the honorary consul of Rwanda in Houston.

Ambassador Shepard who was once the U.S executive director of the African Development Bank from 2001 to 2007 and the author of a book entitled "All things Being Equal”, said that she has great love for Rwanda and that she has spent many years coming back and forth to assist Rwandans in all ways possible.

"President Kagame is a young man with a very old mind, who has got good plans for this country, and I always wanted to be in African country which has a good character of wanting to move ahead, and here I found Rwanda,” Shepard said.

Ends