WHAT WE DO

The Mobile Library Project is an innovative project that does village visitations bringing fun and learning together for both adults and children.

The mobile library provides workshops, discussion groups, literacy class and games around learning both to adults and kids. Another core component is our seed and tree sharing system that benefits schools and families. Together, we find locally relevant solutions, often built on hybrid models, that mix local traditions with modern best practices. We focus on education, re-greening the land and community guidance. This multifaceted approach provides opportunities to improve literacy, community health, sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation. Visit the mobile library on Facebook for news about the latest tours and programs.

Have you ever heard of William Kamkwamba, the boy from Malawi who harnessed the wind? He and his family endured intense poverty and hunger until he found an unexpected solution. Using library books, at the age of 14, he built a windmill to power his family’s home from makeshift scraps. Research has shown that literacy and education is directly linked to a better quality of life.

Madagascar ranks 155 out of 187 in the 2014 Human Development Index, making it one of the most impoverished countries. Several areas of Madagascar are also isolated and have no access to books. Mobile libraries can be utilized to empower and improve Malagasy lives.

WHAT WE OFFER

Mentoring & Community Workshops

Community outreach programs in the form of lectures, workshops and community events centered around daily life, education, environmental issues and more.

Book Sharing System

A wide variety of educational books for all ages is offered. See a full list of the book themes we carry and other educational tools on the Support Us page. We also offer reading lessons and tutoring of various kinds to all ages.

Seed & Tree Sharing System

Families who show more interest in the mobile library programs are given seeds to plant. When they harvest the plants; they return seeds. Borrow. Grow. Return. Each local school in the region gets fruit trees that the kids can then get essential nutrients and vitamins from. The teachers also sell the fruit to pay for school supplies. Re-greening the land is always a huge goal for us. As such, we have also created our first large scale food forest to use as an example for families and communities to see how a permaculture approach can work instead of slash and burn & improvements

Technology

Solar Panels are used on the car to provide energy on the go. This allows people to utilize our mobile library as a charging station for various electronic devices such as phones or power banks while they or their kids enjoy a book or service. We also have audio & video materials.

PHASE 1:

  • Preparation – A relationship is established with beneficiary community members and authorities.
  • Community meetings are held to discuss needs of the village and people.

PHASE 2:

  • Implementation of library – Routinely, we commute to villages each month and actively offer mentoring & community workshops, a book sharing system & and re-greening programs.

PHASE 3:

  • Established Libraries – Community and selected leaders are left in charge of a selection of books that will be traded out for different books when the mobile library visits.
Currently we are developing the use of devices like kindles as a source for streamlining access to educational material. We eventually want to move into the direction of environmentally conscious business development and ecotourism so that more people can rely on more sustainable sources of revenue. We also have the goal to expand the amount of vehicles and teams on routes.

Additionally, we want to continue to improve farming techniques so that we can substantially increase crop quality and yield, while utilizing sustainable methods for the benefit of all species. We intend to also plant a lot more seeds and trees as we expand our re-greening efforts.