Harambee - Sidonge Resource Center
Donation protected
Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or development activities. Harambee literally means "all pull together" in Kiswahili.
In Sidonge, Western Kenya where RVE.SOL placed the first KUDURA solar minigrid 7 years ago, the community has grown, changed and developed. Jobs and small businesses have been created , more children are going to school, income and savings have been generated, health and wellness has improved, appliances and TVs have been purchased and much much more.
Now, under the leadership of Josphat Mangeni, the community is mobilizing to build the first community library in the entire Busia County and knowing my love of books and children, they have bestowed upon me the honor of leading the realization of this vision by leading the fundraiser, so now the pressure is on to “all pull together” and make the Sidonge Resource Center the best library it can be!
We are looking to collect both funds and books. If you would like to donate books, please direct message me and we can work out the best method depending on where you are in the world. Better World Books offers free shipping and we have created a wishlist there too. Check out www.bit.ly/SidongeWishlist
The funds and donations raised will be used for:
-Constructing the permanent building measuring 28m by 32m at a cost of 930,000 Kenyan Shillings (about €9.00 per m2 or €9,000). It will have space for ~40 readers and book shelves on 3 sides
-Stocking it full with books and learning materials for all ages initially, and restocking at regular intervals €500
-Paying 2 years of salary for a librarian to manage and maintain the library
Extra funds:
-Developing and running literacy programs and/or tutors for students and adults
-Creating a scholarship fund for promising students
Vivian and I will personally match the funds raised at 10% of goal or €1,000! (Our donation of €500 was the first donation to kick it off). RVE.SOL has also kindly donated the cost to install lighting and paying for electricity; 6 lights of 30W each, 20 hours use/day, 5 days/week for a 1year period at a cost of ~€500.
Any questions please send me a direct message. I sincerely and truly appreciate any and all support, contributions and help. This is probably one of the most meaningful things I've done in my life so thank you for supporting it. What if these kids had access to more books than all of us combined? What if we made this into a famous tourist attraction for book lovers all over the region, bringing interest and commerce to Sidonge? The possibilities are endless, the fun is just beginning!
If anyone has connections at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Better World Books, Usbourne, Scholastic, etc. or any influencers, celebs or angel investors passionate about literacy, books and education please let me know!
You can follow our progress us on Instagram too!



In Sidonge, Western Kenya where RVE.SOL placed the first KUDURA solar minigrid 7 years ago, the community has grown, changed and developed. Jobs and small businesses have been created , more children are going to school, income and savings have been generated, health and wellness has improved, appliances and TVs have been purchased and much much more.
Now, under the leadership of Josphat Mangeni, the community is mobilizing to build the first community library in the entire Busia County and knowing my love of books and children, they have bestowed upon me the honor of leading the realization of this vision by leading the fundraiser, so now the pressure is on to “all pull together” and make the Sidonge Resource Center the best library it can be!
We are looking to collect both funds and books. If you would like to donate books, please direct message me and we can work out the best method depending on where you are in the world. Better World Books offers free shipping and we have created a wishlist there too. Check out www.bit.ly/SidongeWishlist
The funds and donations raised will be used for:
-Constructing the permanent building measuring 28m by 32m at a cost of 930,000 Kenyan Shillings (about €9.00 per m2 or €9,000). It will have space for ~40 readers and book shelves on 3 sides
-Stocking it full with books and learning materials for all ages initially, and restocking at regular intervals €500
-Paying 2 years of salary for a librarian to manage and maintain the library
Extra funds:
-Developing and running literacy programs and/or tutors for students and adults
-Creating a scholarship fund for promising students
Vivian and I will personally match the funds raised at 10% of goal or €1,000! (Our donation of €500 was the first donation to kick it off). RVE.SOL has also kindly donated the cost to install lighting and paying for electricity; 6 lights of 30W each, 20 hours use/day, 5 days/week for a 1year period at a cost of ~€500.
Any questions please send me a direct message. I sincerely and truly appreciate any and all support, contributions and help. This is probably one of the most meaningful things I've done in my life so thank you for supporting it. What if these kids had access to more books than all of us combined? What if we made this into a famous tourist attraction for book lovers all over the region, bringing interest and commerce to Sidonge? The possibilities are endless, the fun is just beginning!
If anyone has connections at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Better World Books, Usbourne, Scholastic, etc. or any influencers, celebs or angel investors passionate about literacy, books and education please let me know!
You can follow our progress us on Instagram too!
Organizer
Maria Burpee
Organizer
Leiria, Santana, Portugal
