Our Libraries in Action
Empowering communities in Kwale County through learning, play, and lifelong support.
Setting the Scene
Kwale County, on Kenya’s scenic coast, is where our journey began. Here, communities face challenges in accessing educational resources, training, and safe spaces for children to learn and play. To address this, we designed and built shipping container Libraries and Learning Centres—innovative, flexible spaces where children, young people, and educators can access books, skills training, and play-based learning programs.
Six community-operated libraries are now thriving, offering opportunities that strengthen literacy, confidence, and long-term wellbeing, with ongoing support from our team.
Our Programmes: How It Works
Learning, play, and skills-building for children, young people, and communities in Kwale County.
JBAC Community-Operated Libraries
- We have six thriving libraries in Kombani, Tiwi, Ukunda, Msambweni and Shimba Hills.
- All of our libraries are built from 40ft shipping containers (approximately 12 metres).
- The containers are converted by local community members into bright, welcoming, and vibrant learning spaces.
- They are operated by trained and dedicated local volunteers.
- The libraries are stocked with around 5,000 books and restocked annually.
- Each library comes with a simple playground.
- Our collaborative principle for engagement is simple: when communities take an active role in their own development, we work alongside them to provide increased support, training, and resources.
Volunteer Skills and Development
- Our volunteer training programmes empower local librarians to become leaders in their communities by developing transferable skills that extend far beyond running a library.
- Volunteers receive hands-on training in communication, problem-solving, project management, and business start-ups, equipping them to take initiative, manage resources, and create engaging learning experiences for children and young people.
- Beyond library operation, we focus on lifelong skills development, helping volunteers build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and practical life skills that enhance employability and personal growth.
- By combining structured training, mentorship, and real-world experience in our community-operated libraries across Kwale County, volunteers are prepared to lead activities, mentor youth, and drive sustainable community development, ensuring that each library thrives as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and wellbeing.
Arts Sessions
- We run 30 engaging arts and creative sessions each year, reaching 100 children per session at each community-operated library—making this our most popular activity.
- These sessions are carefully designed to help children associate the library with more than just reading.
- Through play, imagination, creativity, and freedom of expression, children explore new ideas, build confidence, and develop social and emotional skills.
- Our goal is to make every library a fun, inclusive, and safe space where all children feel welcome and inspired to learn.
Young Writer Competition
- Our annual Young Writers Competition engages over 150 children each year, providing a fun and encouraging way to develop writing skills, creativity, and self-expression.
- In Kenya, writing is often associated with exams or official documents, and children rarely receive positive feedback—success can feel out of reach.
- Our competition changes that narrative: we celebrate every participant, give meaningful feedback, and reward creativity, helping children gain confidence and a love for writing.
- Year after year, the quality of stories improves so dramatically that selecting winners has become increasingly challenging, highlighting the lasting impact of this programme on literacy and creative expression in Kwale County.
Sports & Fun Days
- Our Sports & Fun Days bring children from all our community-operated libraries together to learn, play, and grow as a team.
- While the activities are fun, the learning is serious: children develop teamwork, leadership, communication, problem-solving, resilience, and confidence, all in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- These events encourage children to collaborate, resolve challenges, take initiative, and celebrate each other’s strengths, showing that learning extends far beyond the classroom.
- By combining physical activity with skill-building exercises, children gain practical life skills, strengthen friendships, and experience the joy of learning through play in safe and vibrant library spaces in Kwale County.
Youth Life Skills Training
- Our Youth Life Skills Training engages over 2,500 young people per library across Kwale County, providing practical education on topics that matter most to them, including HIV awareness, safe sex, addiction prevention, and mental health.
- Each training topic is proposed by the youth groups themselves to ensure relevance, and where appropriate, sessions are led by expert outside speakers with specialist knowledge.
- Through these programmes, young people develop essential life skills, improve English and writing abilities, enhance school performance, build confidence, and strengthen employability, creating measurable and lasting impact.
- By combining peer-led input with expert guidance, our youth training empowers participants to make informed choices, solve problems, and thrive both in school and in life, reinforcing the role of our community-operated libraries as hubs for education, wellbeing, and personal development in Kwale County.
Our Impact
Transforming Learning and Communities in Kwale County
Libraries & Learning Resources
- 1,000 new books per library are supplied each year
- 2,000+ readers and nearby schools enjoy access to books per library
- Vibrant and safe community-operated learning and reading spaces for all
Educational Outcomes & Improvements
- Improved school grades and rankings by at least 2
- More government investment in schools and community infrastructure
- Stronger trust from iNGOs and local organisations leading to more holistic development
Volunteer & Librarian Impact
- Librarians gain employment and leadership experience
- Teenagers grow into new librarians
- Training in transferable skills applied in real projects creates unprecedented opportunities
Programme Reach & Skills
- Arts sessions reach 20,000 children yearly
- Young Writers Competition boosts literacy, creativity, and English skills
- Sports & Fun Days teach teamwork, leadership, and life skills
Become a Library Patron
Help sustain our libraries, support children’s learning, and empower community librarians. Become a Library Patron today and make a lasting impact.