Mara Rural School Libraries

MARA RURAL SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Transforming Education for Every Child

What is the best way to boost literacy, give access to knowledge, and expand world views among young learners? We believe the answer is to put a great library in schools where there has never been a library before. We have witnessed again and again that this makes a profound difference, changing the learning trajectory of every child in the school. Done well, a library isn't just a collection of materials but is a learning hub, and once the school has one they can't imagine doing without it.

A recent survey in Kenya found that only 2% of public schools have a library, and only 50% of students at grade 5 are reading at a grade 3 level. Instead of building new schools, our answer is to work with schools that are already there, but in great need. We develop quality libraries in the most disadvantaged schools in the Maasai Mara, filling a deep gap. We fully believe in computer skills and hands-on science as well, but libraries are a first foundation.

We purchase everything in country with high standards of relevance, quality, and variety. Each library has 2000 books, laptops, globes, educational posters, local conservation materials, and (for primary schools) games and puzzles. We partner with suppliers in Nairobi and a Kenyan library curation team who collaborate with teachers to design contents that truly respect local needs. We include capacity-building so that teachers and student librarians maintain the library and own it.

Where we have developed libraries. Most of these schools have 800 to 1000 students, all benefitting.

Primary Schools (grades 1 to 8):

Ololchura

Nairasirasa

Enturoto

Aitong

Talek

Mara Girls Leadership (upper primary)

Maasai Mara Secondary

"These libraries are 2,000 points of light."

~ Teacher Naomi Rey, MM Secondary

Dreaming & Achieving Their Own Future

Put simply, our goal is to ignite literacy and a culture of reading and lifelong learning among the next generation. The schools we work with have not had resources to make this possible. As well as supporting teachers and their curriculum, we seek to create an environment where students can explore knowledge and stories independently, find pleasure in it, and dare to dream their own future with hope. We also provide opportunities for students at these schools to participate in Oliveseed youth writing initiatives. to build their confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills, and even to create materials that can go right back into their own libraries. Ultimately, a library like this is an open door.

2026: Ololchura Primary School

Our newest library project in the Mara is at Ololchura Primary near Sekenani, launched in March 2026. This is teacher Susan Muigai speaking the morning after opening. Not all the books and furniture were in place yet, but it was already a beehive of activity. This is a special project also because we established a friendship between Ololchura and a primary school in Palo Alto, California, an innovative opportunity for learning and exchange across the world that will inspire youth on both ends.

1D5F1182-B2F6-47DF-8F39-3050678CF5DA_1_1

9BB684FC-940D-4DB9-A219-C8EACC9BA983_1_1

What goes in these libraries

Curriculum enhancement texts and encyclopedias ("revision books") for all subjects and grades. These books support the Kenyan curriculum at a more robust level than the standard textbooks. They are produced in Kenya.
Storybooks in English and Kiswahili for all grades and reading levels, meeting our goal of building a culture of reading for pleasure.
Picture-rich nonfiction about nature, science, inventions, and architecture; and biographies of inspiring people who have brought positive change, in support of our goal of students' independent exploration.
Laptops preloaded with applications and eKitabu East African stories.
A "Conservation Corner" with the flora, fauna, and environmental books and guides recommended by Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, to inspire future conservationists.
For younger students, picture storybooks to encourage early reading and to make the space enjoyable for the youngest ones, even preschool age.
Globes, puzzles, games, maps, and educational posters.