$ 20million to be spent on mobile libraries

The Education Development Centre Inc (EDC), an international NGO based in the US, will soon be introducing mobile libraries to simplify easy access of text books.

Sunday, July 08, 2012

The Education Development Centre Inc (EDC), an international NGO based in the US, will soon be introducing mobile libraries to simplify easy access of text books.The head of the organisation, Said Yasin, told The Sunday Times that the five-year project that will be implemented in collaboration with the Peace Corps —  a United States volunteer service organisation — will be funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at a cost of $20 million.Daily operations and management of the libraries will be handled by the Peace Corps. Each mobile library is expected to at least have 2,000 books in the three official languages; Kinyarwanda, English and French. The project will first open 11 libraries but with a target of opening 48 across the country before it ends."The libraries will be opened in communities identified as being with the most vulnerable people so that their children have the chances to read,” he said.The NGO is working in collaboration with Rwanda Education Board (REB) and the Ministry of Education on a wide range of issues connected with promoting the education system.  Solange Mutezintare, the NGO`s deputy head, said the initiative will also focus on encouraging the young generation, especially primary school children."It is very necessary for people to grow up when they can read, but most important is for them to know why they must read, as this will inspire them to read more,” she said.