Empowering Girls in Kenya: Rebuild the Girls’ Library

Dear Friends,

My name is Abdimalik, and I am currently in Malindi, Kenya, serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. I grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp and moved to the United States when I was eight years old. Through education and an ROTC scholarship, I discovered my purpose: to serve others and create opportunities where they are most needed.

At Ummul Qura Girls and Boys Senior Schools, there’s a total of 220 students. The boys’ library is well‑maintained, while the girls’ library has suffered severe damage from heavy rains. Despite these poor conditions, the girls consistently outperform the boys, demonstrating their determination and potential. Recently, urgent repairs to other school buildings have delayed the necessary upgrades to the girls’ library.

Together with the girls’ headmaster, I plan to combine two existing classrooms into a modern library‑workshop. This new space will provide structural repairs, new shelving, tables, and comfortable seating for reading and studying. It will also contain a variety of new and gently‑used books, computers, and basic technology for research and skill‑building.

Additionally, workshop supplies will be added for hands‑on learning activities. The goal is to create a modern, inspiring learning environment that supports both academic and practical skill development.

A well‑stocked, functional library is more than a collection of books; it breaks the cycle of limited opportunity and opens doors to independence, confidence, and a brighter future for the students, their families, and future generations. Even a modest donation, such as the cost of a single month’s streaming subscription, can make a lasting difference. Please consider donating to help rebuild and upgrade the girls’ library.

Together we can ensure that every student, regardless of gender, has the resources needed to succeed. Thank you for your generosity and belief in the power of education.

Respectfully,

Abdimalik Hashi

Fulbright ETA Kenya 25

Army Transportation Officer

Phase One: Study Environment ($1800)

– Door between rooms for access and flow

– Six study tables with chairs for group and individual work

– One long computer table (for future technology)

– Desk and chair for librarian

– Two large carpets for warmth and comfort

– Lighting improvements to ensure bright study conditions

Phase Two: Books and Shelving ($1500)

– Core academic textbooks aligned with the school curriculum

– Reference materials: dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases

– Fiction and non-fiction for leisure and literacy growth

– Shelving to organize books and allow browsing

Phase Three: Staffing and Support ($400)

– Librarian stipend (seed funding, with sustainability through school budget or PTA support)

– Supplies: labels, cataloging tools, storage boxes, pens, notebooks

Phase Four: Technology Starter ($300)

– Two refurbished computers for shared use

– One printer for assignments and study materials

– Internet setup if affordable, or kept as an add-on later

Total: $4000