Each year new challenges arise. Because our Director lives in Uganda and Kenya six months each year, she becomes aware of many needs. Libraries of Love has built many homes for those living in mud homes that were collapsing. Wheelchairs have been provided. Hospital stays paid for. Help has been provided to start new business’s which will provide for a family. Food has been provided for endless families.
In 2026, four families in Maasai land in Kenya were living in metal homes that had no insulation. The houses were very, very hot inside. Libraries of Love provided insulation for the homes, as well as painting the inside rooms after insulation was added. Good furniture was provided for those who only had plastic chairs and were sleeping on the floor. Later the Director visited a sponsored child whose family was being sent away from a terrible, dilapidated, metal one room home on top of a high hill. They had nowhere to go. Libraries of Love provided a beautiful metal home, fully insulated, plus furniture. It was built on some family land. They were thrilled.
Abraham’s Family Gets a New House
January 19, 2026 – HELP needed! One of our sponsored, Abraham, lived in a dung mud home that collapsed. They had no money so moved in this house. They don’t have a latrine. Abraham sleeps in the bed pictured. His mother cooks in the pot right in front of the bed. It is the living room. Sad! For $4,000 we could provide a house and latrine/toilet. If you would like to help, let me know, and donate through http://www.librariesoflove.org.
January 30, 2026 – It is going up! Five men were working. Hallelujah! Thanks to our donors for changing this family’s lives.
February 2, 2026 – Looking good!!
February 4, 2026 – THANK YOU!! 🙏 We have enough for everything! No need to send more!! God bless you! We are $650 short covering the total cost of this family’s new home. If you would like to help go to http://www.librariesoflove.org. Endless thanks and blessings sent to those who have donated. 🏠 Had a water tank delivered. Still need furniture . *Also please let me know if you are donating
February 7, 2026 – Almost – we need windows and the floor has to set for three days!
February 9, 2026 – The living room is pink and the bedrooms are light green. They have the colors they wanted:). The right side of the outhouse is for washing and the left is the latrine. Furniture is paid for and will be delivered soon.
February 11, 2026 – It’s a wrap! Today we delivered a sofa, two chairs, a coffee table and a bed. Pictured with Abraham’s mother is Joseph, who checks our libraries, and Maria who oversees our sponsored students. Maria was also in charge of all aspects of building this home. Blessings to her and all those that donated.
February 11, 2026 – Last pictures: From a dung / mud home that collapsed, to the ‘home’ left, to the beautiful home right. God is faithful. Thanks to you who made this possible!
Humanitarian Updates
March 8, 2026 – Thanks to donors, James in my village of Ewuaso, Kenya, now has not only a new electric/treadle sewing machine, but also a button hole / interlocking machine. Happy man! Changing lives….
March 24, 2026 – Many of you remember Jennifer. A man locked her and her three kids in a hut, poured gas over it, and torched it. We were blessed to help her recover. Her daughter, Gift, just finished Beauty College thanks to sponsors. We provided two cows for Jennifer. They have produced many calfs- enough that Jennifer has been able to sell several and buy two plots of land.
March 25, 2026 – Remembering: Grace’s mud home had pulled apart in many places. Thanks to donors we provided a beautiful new home. Also, her daughter, Florence, is sponsored and just received a degree in Kiswahili and History. Great visit today. Wonderful people!
March 27, 2026 – Update: I was with Abumery today. His leg is large again, though we helped with two surgeries. The doctors said he has to sleep with his leg elevated, but he doesn’t have a bed. He sleeps on the floor. His small grocery store we provided has been enough to supply food, daily needs, and school fees. **Today I provided a bed for Abumery. Hopefully, the swelling will go down. Now we step back … He is a sweet guy and I’m so thankful that he no longer has to beg on the streets. Thankful for donors who helped him.
Libraries of Love also has a sponsored student program. Most students who are currently sponsored were being sent home from school in elementary school as their parents didn’t have money for school fees. As our Director would go to check on libraries, she would see them leaving the school grounds. She would then take them back and pay their fees, later going home to meet their families.
Libraries of Love, thanks to sponsors, now has 22 college graduates. There are attorneys, nurses, business degrees, agricultural degrees, education degrees, etc.
At present, there are 53 students sponsored. Twenty of those are in college. Twenty-three are in Secondary school ( 8th-13th grades. ) Ten are in Primary School (4th-7th grades.)
Sponsors pay school fees and requirements. However, during the school term there are always other needs such as a sick child needing to go to the hospital, unexpected field trips, transportation for returning home, new shoes, fees for tests, on and on. These costs are paid through donations to Libraries of Love.
Following are posts about sponsored students from our Executive Director’s social media while in Kenya and Uganda.
January 6, 2026 Wonderful to meet with many of our sponsored kids in Kenya today. They kept me laughing.
February 16, 2026 – Wonderful to have time with sponsored twins Kato and Waaswa. One is studying nursing and one laboratory work. Amazing young men!
March 7, 2026 – Wonderful meeting today with some of our sponsored. We now have 26 college graduates. This picture includes one of our high school students – the others are now in college. ***If you would like to help sponsor, let us know!
April 10, 2026 – Love that many of our kids have been sponsored since they were young. Kizza is the little one with his brother, and now he’s in high school!
April 14, 2026 – Love visiting sponsored young people. I’ve known Kizza nine years. So thankful for sponsors. They are changing lives! Would you like to sponsor? Message me.
May 8, 2026 – Wonderful meeting today with 20 of our sponsored students in Mbale. Lots of laughter, singing, fun games, food, and serious talks. We are so thankful for Kakai Annet who is in charge of these students for LOL – paying their school fees and purchasing their requirements for us. Amazing lady!
May 23, 2026 – I appreciate John and Solome for taking good care of our sponsored kids in Kampala. They meet with sponsored students before school starts a new term. Each young person’s supplies are in a bag. They must check off each item they have received and then sign. Today we met, played games, sang, and had a good lunch.
May 27, 2026 – Two of our sponsored, Godfrey and Aaron, are studying nursing. They have college certificates, but have had to do two years practice before starting on diplomas in January. I enjoyed visiting them at the outpatient clinic of Mbale Hospital. I’m very grateful for their sponsors.
May 31, 2026 – 2011 and today! Meet Billy Eric Wauyo and Ugandatta JohnMary, Billy and JohnMary were two of our first sponsored. We enjoyed meeting and catching up over lunch. Time goes too fast!
In 2026, we restocked 16 primary school and 7 secondary school libraries, as well as a prison library.
Libraries of Love ships 13,000-15,000 hardcover, new or like new books, to Africa each year. The Monday team of volunteers in Texas types a spine label for each book, plus labels for pockets and cards so the students can borrow the books to take home.
At present, we have 34 active school libraries in Uganda and eight in Kenya, along with three prison libraries: men’s, women’s and juvenile. The libraries each contain thousands of books and are as beautiful and organized as any library in America. We have people in Uganda and Kenya that work with us and check the libraries twice a month to make sure students are borrowing and the libraries are well kept. The schools must ensure books are being used to keep their libraries.
Following is this year’s story told in photos from from Executive Director Trudy Marshall’s social media posts.You can follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesOfLove.
January 2, 2026 – Joseph, our Kenyan library supervisor, picked me up at the airport. Wonderful to see him again.
January 3, 2026 – Our Kampala sponsored students are off to camp!! Special thanks to John and Solome for making all the arrangements.
January 5, 2026 – Meet Fred, my metal worker, who builds library shelving, and James the tailor who does sewing for me.
January 10, 2026 – Meet Trudy, my Kenyan namesake. She is on the right, pictured with her twin. So adorable
January 13, 2026 – School was out at the Catholic preschool. All the kids wanted to touch or high five the mzungu😊 Fun!
Volunteers Betty, Anna, Dave and Paula packed the final box of books for the 2026 shipment. This year, we are restocking 16 primary school and 7 secondary school libraries, as well as a prison library. That involves processing 13,072 books, sorted and boxed by school. That is a total of 268 boxes. The 2026 shipment should leave later in January.
January 13, 2026 – Over 13,000 books left Texas for Uganda today! The books are all new or like new hardcover books. Each has a spine label for organization and a pocket and card so students can borrow. Thanks to all of you who made this possible again this year. Cheers!
January 14, 2026 – My little Maasai village…a good place.
January 19, 2026 – We had a meeting of Kenyan librarians today, plus two teachers. It was a wonderful time of learning library skills, singing, and having lunch! Great group. We are the Libraries of Love family
January 20, 2026 – Visiting libraries today!
January 21, 2026 – I enjoyed meeting with our Kenyan librarians! The back of our new t-shirts was designed by one of our college graduates, Musa Gibemi.
January 24, 2026 – Seen today…If you think your life is tough – try carrying this water container with a strap on the forehead and rolling one with your foot. They are beyond heavy!
January 27, 2026 – One month in Maasai – 7 libraries visited – many are very far, 15 sponsored students homes visited , insulation and painting delivered for 5 metal homes, furniture delivered to two homes that had no furniture, one new library visited and planned, will start the building of one new home this week – several churches and the Bible college visited. Each day busy!
January 28, 2026 – Come to Kenya. I’ll take you riding in a tuk-tuk!
January 29, 2026 – Yesterday I went in a classroom to visit. Before I left I asked them to show me their library books. I love that most of the books are nonfiction! The teachers were all sitting together outside under a tree:)
January 31, 2026 – Line up! Time for breakfast porridge!
February 3, 2026 – Adorable kids – but difficult to see their classroom. I wish so much more for them. We have a library in this school. I love that our libraries are the oasis, a beautiful room for them to enjoy.
February 6, 2026 – So wonderful that when I see kids who have torn uniforms at schools, I can just say, “Let’s go to the office. I’ll buy you new uniforms.” So very thankful to our donors that make it possible.
February 6, 2026 – Joseph, our librarian, on the left and Joseph, who oversees our libraries in Kenya, on the right. We had a good day working in the library!
February 10, 2026 – These kids were hard at work learning the numbers 1-10! I enjoyed visiting with them. They will grow up reading our books 📕 📚! 😊 The library is next to their room.
February 17, 2026 – Kids will be kids. Library time!
February 20, 2026 – Beautiful library. Beautiful librarian! This was our first library, provided in 2005 at Namirembe Primary School. It still looks great and students borrow books daily.
February 23, 2026 – Library time! 1st graders.
February 24, 2026 – From no books in schools to fully stocked libraries. Truly amazing. Thank you to those who provide books and funding. I am blessed to see the happy faces.
February 25, 2026 – Much learning, laughter, singing, and eating took place with twenty-two of our librarians today. Many thanks to Mengo Secondary School for hosting us!
February 27, 2026 – 107 kids, all in one class, came to the library today to borrow books.
February 28, 2026 – Happy birthday to John who with his wife, Solome, oversees our libraries and sponsored students in the Kampala area. Pictured left to right are Judith (their daughter), Solome, and John. In front are their children, Jordon, and twins- Chloe and Crystal. Pictured on the right is Julia who works for them.
March 3, 2026 – At a school today
March 4, 2026 – Our library is in what was once a church at Kings College, Buddo. A really beautiful building which is always busy with readers!
March 4, 2026 – This little one likes the book about author Bruce Hale. Bruce has donated many books to Libraries of Love
March 5, 2026 – These 3-5 year olds were learning the names of all the fruits today at one of our schools. Afterwards they were able to taste samples.
March 11, 2026 – On Amazon, my newest book covering years 2019-2025 in Africa. The paperback has great colored pictures, but the book can also be downloaded on Kindle. Enjoy!
March 12, 2026 – A preschool at one of our schools! So cute!
March 13, 2026 – Busy day today in one of our libraries! Several students were talking about sharing the books at home with their brothers and sisters.
March 15, 2026 – God Squad – we’re together again! We’ve now met each Sunday, when I am in my village of Masanda, for seven years. We loved sharing Jesus today with 102 neighbor kids, singing, laughing, praying together, and eating, of course! Dan, Sam, Godfrey, Emma, Yusef, Aaron, Saleh, Musa.
March 18, 2026 – I was at the men’s prison today. Endless books had been borrowed and the sewing machines were working well! There are 1,670 men in the prison. I’m glad we can bless them. Our librarian asked to pray for me before I left.
March 19, 2026 – This little one forgot his book at home, but his mother returned it so he came to the library to borrow another one.
March 20, 2026 – Our librarian, Winnie, was busy putting cards back in books when this young one brought a book back and wanted to borrow another one. Namatala Primary library was our second, provided in 2006. Now there are fifty-six libraries
March 21, 2026 – The young man on the left volunteered to read a book to his class while I was there. The young one on the right wanted to say our opening prayer last Sunday. They both did a great job!
March 23, 2026 – Thousands of African students who had no access to books now go to their libraries each week to borrow books. God bless our donors who have provided books and funding.
March 26, 2026 – On the road yesterday. All things are possible. I believe it’s all water or soda bottles.
March 28, 2026 – My neighbor Trudy! So cute. We are good friends:)
March 29, 2026 – It must be Sunday! They received suckers today instead of cookies!🍪
March 31, 2026 – Visiting libraries today taking fun pictures!
April 2, 2026 – These little ones were playing in the mud before going home. When they saw me they jumped up and I became the Pied Piper as we walked to our village.
April 4, 2026 – If you need a seat constructed, my neighbor, Moses, could take care of it. Moses was teaching with a certificate but thanks to our sponsors he now has a diploma and is working on a degree. He is little Trudy’s dad.
April 6, 2026 – A sports team came and wanted to read books in their library.
April 7, 2026 – Delivering a new bookshelf on a boda!
April 8, 2026 – We had an amazing time of sharing, learning, singing and eating (of course:) with the Mbale area librarians today!
April 9, 2026 – Time to leave the God Squad and village for a few weeks while I visit libraries and sponsored students in five other towns. Busy!
April 12, 2026 – Enjoyed a service today at All Saints Anglican Church. It was a service honoring the women involved in the ‘Mothers’ Union,’ and they all wore white dresses, gomesi’s, with blue sashes. I loved the old hymns that were sung.
April 15, 2026 – Time for library!
April 19, 2026 – Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world…
April 20, 2026 – I have gone to Dr. Wen for twenty-five years. He says I have malaria and a bacterial infection. I translated that as – go the mall and have some ice cream😊 Keep me in your prayers please.
April 25, 2026 – The container arrived today after a long trip across the ocean. Over 13,000 plus new or like new hardback books arrived in boxes ready to distribute to 23 libraries. These donations are a labor of love ❤️
April 26, 2026 – A couple schools picked up boxes of books using bodas / motorcycles. Gas is about $5.36 a gallon in Uganda. The trucks delivering books have been very expensive because of gas. Tomorrow a truck is coming from Kenya to take books there.
May 3, 2026 – Sunday School in my yard. We were able to give out paperbacks to around 100 kids, pictured are just a few of the kids. They 💕 love getting books! Next, fun with the God Squad.
May 4, 2026 – We organized books in two libraries today. One library added 1,100 books. The other 250 books. Both now have 14 shelving units totally full of books
May 9, 2026 – Pushing each other in a wheelbarrow. Village life. I love the way they play together outside instead of being in their houses.
May 10, 2026 – The God Squad and my fake cat from my daughters:) One hundred ten kids today! I miss my family very, very much, but thankful God supplies more family! **I don’t have pictures of my daughters since my phone was stolen:(. Love you Kimberly Ebright , Donita Ortega , and Lindy Fulford. Glad I’m your mom!
May 11, 2026 – Today I worked in our prison library. Then I walked down the railroad tracks, around the forest, and on to my village home. The road is safe. Lots of motorcycle traffic and most know me. Home sweet home! The men’s prison library is always busy!
May 12, 2026 – They make me smile:)
May 14, 2026 – We have now organized hundreds of new books in eight libraries. We have fifteen libraries to go. It is so much work organizing the new books in with the old – nonfiction by subject matter, and fiction by author’s last name. Each school has between 3000-14,000 books. The school library receives books three times the school population. Soon the libraries receiving books this year will all look like this picture:)
May 17, 2026 – So thankful for Marilyn Ketteman and her husband, Gordon, who have made and sent cross necklaces with me for many years. We had already given to many adults and today we gave to around 90 young people to take home to show and share about Jesus! God bless the Kettermans!
May 19, 2026 – Library #10 has been restocked and organized in the Mbale area. In a couple days I will leave to help with 17 libraries in the Kampala area, each receiving hundreds of new books. The new books have to be organized in with the books already in the libraries. Huge job! However, these schools would have no libraries if we didn’t provide. We are honored to bless the young people with interesting books to read.
May 20, 2026 – It’s a wonder they don’t keep me in prison, I seem to be there so often! They needed a long ruler for the sewing area and a white board in the library to show the date the books should be returned. AND I led an inmate to Christ! Good day!
May 22, 2026 – Every day is busy! Today with John, Solome, and Diana, our librarian, we restocked our library in Kings College Budo, which is the most prestigious high school in Uganda. Afterwards, I was invited to address the faculty.
May 24, 2026 – Pictures coming in from Kenya of our libraries.
June 2, 2026 – Happy faces!
June 5, 2026 – Muluku Prison now has even more books. We filled up all the shelves this year. When I was there over 250 books had been borrowed.
June 12, 2026 – Thankful for pictures of my Texas team’s amazing work as they prepare books for 2027. The bright stickers are names of receiving schools.
June 13, 2026 – If you need some morning porridge you should get a green cup!
June 16, 2026 – So appreciate Joseph who visits and oversees our libraries in Kenya each month. He loves to joke so we have a good time when I’m in Kenya with him as we visit libraries, as well as his family.
June 17, 2026 – Last of 23 libraries restocked yesterday. Over 13,000 total new or like new hardback books were shipped from Texas. The books were distributed to different libraries and organized with each receiving libraries previous books.
Each year, we have a gathering of all our sponsored students in Uganda and in Kenya. The meetings are always full of laughter. They have become good friends. Also, we try to take each group on a field trip. This year the Kampala group went to the zoo in Entebbe. Our Uganda students also attend camp each year. It is always a joke when they are together as they discuss who will marry whom from the group so we can have a Libraries of Love wedding.
Following are posts from our Executive Director’s social media while in Kenya and Uganda.
February 22 – We had a wonderful meeting today with our sponsored students in Kenya. Their mothers also were present. Through Libraries of Love there are now 23 college graduates, plus 54 sponsored – with 18 of those in universities.
April 29 – A sponsored girl’s home only had two plastic chairs. Today I sent a sofa and two soft chairs on the long, windy, rough roads up to their house. I’m SO THANKFUL for those who donate to Libraries of Love, so this humanitarian work is made possible, as well as providing libraries.
May 6 – The twins are starting college – one in nursing and one as a lab technician. They each have one sponsor but we will probably need two more for each. If so, the cost would be about $300 twice a year. If interested, please text me.
May 15 – Libraries of Love now has 22 college graduates with 50 sponsored students at present. We had a meeting yesterday with 32 of the students. Pictured are the college young people acting crazy. Next our high school students, then two primary. Several will start college, so more sponsors will be needed. If interested let me know. (Trudy Marshall)
May 24 -This is one of our sponsored. She teaches in kindergarten with a diploma, but needs to get her degree. She will attend college during school breaks. She needs at least one more sponsor. If you can help, please let me know.
May 26 – When our sponsored kids were together they had a contest – Who can draw the best Bible cover? Many great pictures…
June 5 – Almost all of our sponsored kids have been in our lives since they were young. These are both in high school now.
A special part of Libraries of Love is the humanitarian work. Often medical needs are met, uniforms and shoes are provided at schools for those who are the neediest, and food is provided for families that are without. Each time a need is identified, supporters come to our aid and provide funds. We are grateful.
March 3 – From no room to even sit inside their tiny place to a nice, cozy, wonderful home. So very thankful for those who help us change lives. Today we shopped for two triple decker beds plus living room furniture. Justine cried from joy. Our God is faithful.
March 20 – UPDATE – Remember Jennifer the burned lady? I received many hugs today. We had bought her a couple cows, which reproduced several times. Jennifer was able to sell some cows and bought this large portion of land to use for a garden – including banana plants. She is a miracle – locked in a hut that had gasoline poured over it and then torched. Thanks to God and good doctors, she made it.
March 22 – UPDATE: Today I spent time with James, whose legs are totally crippled as well as his arms and hands. We bought him a wheelchair in Kampala about three years ago. He wanted to share this picture of his wife and kids with me. We are good friends and always happy to see each other.
March 29 – Soon – a wheelchair for Benjamin! Today I went far back into a village to meet Benjamin. He is 24 and his arms and legs don’t work. This was caused by cerebral malaria at seven months resulting in bad convulsions. He stays in this little room. Benjamin is heavy for his parents to carry. A wheelchair with a toilet pan under the seat will at least let him sit in fresh air daily. Sad!
May 6 – UPDATE: My boda driver in his new jacket! Much better than the old one full of holes.
May 9 – UPDATE: I was finally able to deliver a wheelchair to Benjamin, who is totally crippled. It put a smile on his face and his parents were very grateful.
May 12 – When I sit on the porch in the evening, sometimes – like today, I play the accordion. These little neighbor kids like to come and dance around. They make me smile.
May 13 – Walking down the street I hear excited yelling, ‘Mzungu friend!’ My street guys. Of course I had to feed them! They remembered I had been to Kenya.
May 16 – Last year, we provided three metal homes for sponsored students, replacing dung/ mud homes. I forgot to have the walls and ceilings covered to keep out the heat! I was in them a few weeks ago! So hot! I’ve sent supplies up the mountain and all three will soon be insulated and painted inside! Passing your kindness forward to Kenya…
May 17 – Walked through my village yesterday handing out donated Bibles in the Luganda language. Happy people!
May 30 – Paying your kindness forward: I saw this 82 year old G’ma being carried under her arms and by her legs a long distance. She is not able to walk. Today we delivered a new wheelchair to her and her family. They were shouting, singing, and dancing- so happy!
June 2 – Thanks to a wonderful group of people, we were able to rent a small store / building in which we stocked Abumary with local food – beans, rice, sugar, porsho ( like cream of wheat) etc. to sell to those in his village. Abumary lost his job when his leg became swollen. Now we will step back and he will be able to support himself and his family.
June 3 – UPDATE: Yakhut is pictured with his children. He is still often in bad pain from being burned from the face down. It is so sad. There is really nothing else the doctors can do. We have provided the motorcycle and when his pain isn’t too bad, he can get customers. Today I’m sending money for a new tight vest. Praying for him….
We now have 45 libraries: 37 in Uganda and 8 in Kenya. We have 34 school libraries in Uganda and three prison libraries: men’s, women’s and juvenile.
Each school provides a room for the library. All that is needed to make it an oasis in the school – new ceilings, flooring, curtains, posters, painted walls and a painted blackboard – is provided by Libraries of Love. Libraries of Love also provides all the bookshelves and books, as well as the training of librarians. The school’s responsibility is to select and pay their librarian.
Our libraries are as nice as any school library in America, though often in schools that are are not well kept. A faithful group each week types spine labels for the books and also labels for pockets and cards – the old fashion check-out method. All of our African libraries are organized by the Dewey Decimal System.
Following is this year’s story told in photos from from Executive Director Trudy Marshall. She travels to Uganda and Kenya for six months each year and keeps everyone up-to-date with social media posts. The following are in chronological order as they were posted. You can follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesOfLove.
January 23 – Countdown! School starts on February 3rd after a long break. I’m ready to see the libraries full of students again in Uganda!
Febuary 7 – The students were enjoying their books in one of our libraries in Kenya. Some were reading their books out loud, while others were still filling in their cards so they could their books home with them.
February 24 – This was the welcoming committee at Najile Primary today. I enjoyed visiting our library. They will receive close to 400 new books this year.
February 24 – This is why we restock and provide tape to repair. The students love the books but take them home down dirt roads to their native homes. This year we will restock 23 libraries with hundreds of new books each, plus provide one new library. Most popular: Guinness Book of World Records and Bible story books:)
March 4 – Library time. 3rd grade- Mengo Primary. I enjoyed reading a book about Sloths to them. FYI: Sloths are the slowest mammals in the world.
March 4 – Having fun finding unusual places to read books!
March 5 – These three were busy looking up countries on a map in their book today!
March 6 – I visited in this classroom today at one of our schools – 1 teacher….180 students. They were waving their hands to send me flowers.
March 7 – It’s nice to walk in high school libraries and see students on their break reading books!
March 12 – Presently, 43,000+ students have access to our libraries in Uganda. Plus, thousands of others have read from our libraries since 2005! This doesnt include our libraries in Kenya. So thankful for those who make our work possible…blessings to you.
March 17 – The little one on the right was absent on Friday, his library day, so he brought his book back today so he could get a new one. He was all smiles picking one out with his friend’s help! ** I noticed his uniform was in bad shape so I went to the bursar and paid for a new uniform. He will be happy!
March 18 – So nice to go in libraries where there is a stack of cards with the front and back totally filled out with student names who borrowed the book. The librarian then prepares a new card for each book.
March 20 – The beginning of the ‘Most Unusual Reading Pose Contest!’ Way to go Prime Junior School!
March 25 – They make me smile!
March 26 – Shoes and more shoes! Waiting on the rest of his class to come from the library!
April 1 – Today at the men’s prison all six sewing machines we provided were in use. However, they needed a sewing machine that would make button holes and zig zag stitch around the edges of the uniforms. Presto! I found one! It is electric and treadle, plus does everything they need! The inmates were so excited! Passing on God’s and your goodness….
April 2 – Inspiring librarians meeting today in Mbale. Our Kampala librarians will meet on Friday.
April 4 – Our wonderful, dedicated Kampala librarians!
April 8 – If you ever miss the old push button phones, come here. I can help you out! Herbert and our librarians from Kings College- Budo.
April 9 – One of our most beautiful libraries. It was provided in 2010. Kings College library used to be a church until they built new one. It looks like churches in Europe.
April 9 – Pure cuteness! Library time …
April 11 – The ship arrived. Our container, holding close to 15,000 books, will be loaded on a truck, and should arrive here in Kampala, Uganda, next Thursday. We will unload 113 boxes here. Next, 44 boxes will be unloaded in Mbale (5 hours from here). Last, 126 boxes will be taken to Kenya and delivered to schools there. So much work ahead…..
April 15 – Our first library was in Namirembe Primary in 2005. Pictured is our lovely new librarian, Tabitha. I enjoyed time at the school today.
April 21 – Kenya: Today we restocked Ewuaso Primary with 433 new books. Tomorrow we will restock Isenito Primary with 535 books, plus put in a new library at Itanki Primary providing the school with a library of 2,477 books. Only 19 more to restock! It will happen! Pictured are Herbert, our Ugandan supervisor, and Rachel our librarian.
April 22 – My other home away from home – the small Maasai village of Ewuaso, Kenya. Yes, I’m the only mzungu (white) in my village – what a privilege.
April 24 – These two girls work at one of our Kenyan schools. They are not teachers or librarians but wanted to help organize all the new books on the shelves. They did great!
May 2 – We provided a new library today at Oltanki Primary. The principal had been at one of our previous schools before being transferred. The school received 2,400 books! Pictured is our new librarian, Joseph.
May 2 – Enjoyed visiting a class today at Isenito Primary in Kenya!
May 7 – We enjoyed a meeting with several of our Kenyan librarians this week. Two of our new ones are men.
May 10 – This little one had me laughing. Doesn’t he just look onery? So cute!
May 19 – My neighbor kids playing chase with their guns made out of banana stalks 🙂 They love for me to take their picture so they can see themselve
May 20 – Playground at one of our schools!
May 27 – The things I do for funToday it was raining and 34 boda riders and passengers took shelter at the gas station, as did Tony and I. I ran in and bought each an individual package of cookies and started tossing to everyone. So many laughs!
May 29 – Herbert and I enjoyed visiting the men’s prison today. Those guys are readers! I took my accordion and entertained. This guard thought he could play it:) Too funny!
June 4 – Always a good day when students have books to read!
June 9 – Today 450 books were added to Kings College- Budo library bringing their total number of books to 8,252. It is a huge job. Most of the books on the shelves have to be removed and organized with the new books. Amazing group helping today!
June 10 – Only sixty-six kids in this class. 🙂 This is our very first library, provided in 2005. We added 485 new books today. Namirembe Primary has been given a total of 7, 108 books.
June 14 – Meet the RAD (Read and Discover) Club at Mengo Secondary. We had a great time with them yesterday. They sang the Ugandan anthem, followed by singing the American anthem perfectly! Amazing group!!
June 16 – A record! We restocked four libraries with hundreds of books each all in one day, and still had time to visit students!
June 18 – Crazy kids showing off their library books!
June 19 – We added hundreds of books to Mengo Secondary library today. Thankfully members of their reading club arrived to help! We enjoyed their company.
June 27 – It was wonderful to have Americans from Virginia reading to students in our library today. I enjoyed their company! Welcome to Karin, Quinn, Rev. Saul, and others! Wonderful day…
In 2024, we restocked 23 libraries with hundreds of books each. The libraries are the oasis in the schools, very organized and beautiful. Libraries of Love has 42 school libraries and 3 prison libraries in Uganda, plus 6 school libraries in Kenya. The first library was provided in 2005. They are all constantly checked to ensure students are borrowing books each week. Librarian meetings are held each year to do training and have fellowship.
Here is this year’s story told in photos from from Executive Director Trudy Marshall. She travels to Uganda and Kenya for six months each year. She keeps everyone up-to-date with posts on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesOfLove. The following are in chronological order as they were posted.
Jan. 18, 2024 – I have arrived back in Maasai land. Home sweet home!
Jan. 22, 2024 – I went to town today! Massai are very friendly. Many remember me.Jan. 23, 2024 – Going home from school … six kids on a motorcycleJan. 25, 2024 – Library time for second grade in Ewauso Primary in Kenya.
Jan. 30, 2024 – You know it’s time to buy chairs when you are in a girls’ high school that has one of our libraries and they don’t have chairs. It will happen!
Feb. 1, 2024 – The students at Ewuaso Girls Secondary are happy. Fifty chairs have been delivered. Now they won’t be sitting on the floor to read!
Feb. 1, 2024 – Happy kids! The principal at Najili Primary said his school ranked second in the county because of the library. The students have learned to read and write well so they do better in all subjects. I enjoyed visiting the kids.
Feb. 6, 2024 – Our shipment has left Austin. The container will be placed on a ship, and our executive director will meet it in Uganda in about two months. Included are about 12,000 hardback books that have Dewey spine labels plus pockets and cards for borrowing for our libraries. There are 40 extra boxes of books that are donations that will be given but are not for libraries. Cheers to Jim Matthews for arranging shipping! As you can see, he’s excited about the departure.
Feb. 10, 2024 – Carrying books to their classroom!
Feb. 14, 2024 – Libraries of Love is very grateful for forty two boxes of new books that just arrived donated by Mackin Educational Resources! The students always love Mackin books. Because of publishers and other groups that donate books, we have been able to provide fifty-five school libraries located in Uganda and Kenya. May God bless these donors as they partner with us in promoting literacy.
Feb. 16, 2024 – Nice to have our Ugandan and Kenyan supervisors, Herbert and Joseph, together with Kenyan librarians. We visited each other’s libraries, reviewed best library practices, sang together, and had good food. Good day in Kenya!
Feb. 16, 2024 – This crazy group of kids ran after me today trying to wipe their hands on my white skin and touch my hair. I would then turn around and touch their black skin and hair! We would all bust out laughing!😊
Feb. 23, 2024 – We are still repairing and painting chalkboards in our schools in Uganda. Normally they mix sweet potato leaves and charcoal then have students use that for paint. In Kenya, we have provided a ceiling, painting, and lights in libraries. Plus we have provided classroom lockers for books. I wish all our classrooms looked like the one below but 😔
Feb. 23, 2024 – It is fun to watch the excitement of the students as they enjoy the three separate pieces of playground equipment provided by Kent Bohls and Joan Bohls. Five schools received the equipment in honor of their six grandkids. One school had a huge population so received two sets. Blessings to the Bohls!
Feb. 26, 2024 – Our librarian was teaching this second grade class how to write the date of return, their name, and their class on the cards before borrowing books.
Feb. 26, 2024 – One of our librarians, Henry, with one of my favorite posters!
Feb. 27, 2024 – I had a great time visiting with this 7th grade class in one of our libraries today. We had lots of laughs! Because the classes run 150 or more in one classroom, the girls come first to the library followed by the boys. This is Kasubi Primary. 8th grade starts high school.
Feb. 28 , 2024 – First, the students tore out the old ‘carpet’. Next, they swept the floor. Last, we put new ‘carpet’ in our library at Namagoona Primary. The kids were great helpers! Herbert Segujja collected the carpet on a boda from downtown Kampala!
March 1, 2024 – We had plenty of fun today as we learned, sang, and enjoyed food. Then all twenty librarians, plus Herbert and I, boarded a large van and visited several of our libraries. We concluded at this beautiful library, which was previously a church, at Kings College Secondary school. Our librarians are a family!
March 2, 2024 – A Libraries of Love librarian meeting was held yesterday. Twenty Kampala area librarians came together for training. Our librarians didn’t grow up with libraries and few have degrees. We do constant teaching on the organization of the library and instructions to give students about books and borrowing. Of course, we also have singing, good food, and lots of laughs!
March 5, 2024 – How many second grade kids can fit in the library? Fairway Primary today …
March 7, 2024 – It’s a wrap! We have held librarians meetings now in Kenya and in Uganda. The meetings in Uganda were held in Kampala and then today in Mbale. I’m so thankful for Herbert Segujja who helps lead the meetings. They understand his English much better than mine.
March 8, 2024 – Show me your books!
March 11, 2024 – When ten librarians said they needed brooms, mops, mop buckets, cleaning rags, light bulbs, etc., it made sense to just buy all of them. Next, I had Tony bring an extra boda, and off we went for delivery.
March 13, 2024 – Library time! The students are taking turns selecting books. The teacher is sitting on the floor reading as he waits for them.
May 1, 2024 – Libraries of Love has provided funding for the repairing and painting of all classroom blackboards in our schools with libraries in the Kampala area. Thanks to Peter Biwire for doing an excellent job!
May 2, 2024 – Enjoying friends and a book!
May 2, 2024 – The truck arrives tonight with about 13,000 books! We will hand out boxes to Kampala area schools tomorrow, then leave to distribute to three other towns, The work then begins! Thousands of books must come off shelves to organize the new with the previous books – Dewey Decimal order!
May 4, 2024 – It’s a wrap! Today we restocked adding 1,100 new books to the library at Prime Junior School. There are twenty-one more school libraries that received new books that will need to be organized. It will happen!
May 11, 2024 – When thousands of books arrive from Texas each box is labeled with a school name and the type of book, such as fiction or nonfiction. Every book is hard cover and has a spine label for organization, plus a pocket and card so the students can borrow. Cheers for the Texas team that prepares the books making the work here and in Kenya much easier.
May 13, 2024 – Seven school libraries restocked and organized with hundreds of books each, plus one prison library. Thirteen more schools to go!
May 14, 2024 – Being a former teacher and librarian, I love looking at the books as we restock our libraries. Today we restocked and organized three more. I’m happy that every school has an ‘African’ book section with books featuring African kids, villages, and animals.
May 19, 2024 – Eighteen libraries restocked with hundreds of books each. Only three more to go to finish 2024!
May 24, 2024 – Time to read!
June 5, 2024 – Prime Junior School. The students were taught the different types of books and how to borrow. At the same time a new librarian listened and took notes as she was trained.
June 5, 2024 – I was visiting libraries today but popped in to sing songs with this 1st grade class. They definitely made me laugh.
June 8, 2024 – Kenya kids love their books. Kenya schools have a maximum of 45 students in a classroom. Uganda schools can go up to 200.
June 12, 2024 – Enjoyed time in our libraries today. This class had 136 students. I went to the teacher and asked her next time to send the girls first. When they return with books the boys should come.
June 14, 2024 – Tomorrow I leave Uganda for Kenya. So so difficult to leave my village- the kids, the God squad, the libraries located in various towns, and those who work with us here. It is difficult to live in three countries and each is home.
June 15, 2024 – This little one welcomed me with a smile to my Kenyan Maasai village.
June 17, 2024 – In case you need goats, cows, sheep, or anything else, come to the Maasai market any Monday.
June 20, 2024 – I enjoyed being in our library at Ewauso Primary today!
June 25, 2024 – Students love reading in Uganda and Kenya. From having no books to having hundreds to choose from seems a miracle to these young people.
July 8, 2024 – Enjoyed visiting Kipeto Primary library today even though it is remote – three hours over terrible roads. They aren’t used to mzungus visiting the school. The first time I went they all took off screaming and running from me. We have gotten much better.
July 8, 2024 – Driving back now from visiting libraries! Geez!
July 9, 2024 – Entertaining these littles by playing the accordion.July 10, 2024 -To clean the books in our libraries in Kenya the librarians use cow tails.😉 Pictured is our librarian Phillip.July 16, 2024 – Funny kiddos! Sometimes they just want to see if my white rubs off😊
July 25, 2024 – The work continues. Seroma Secondary moved to a new building and received hundreds of new books. I’m thankful for Herbert that helped move and sort the older books in with the new books, plus trained new librarians.
July 26, 2024 – The end result! ❤️Restocking Seroma Secondary with 1,200 new books.
July 27, 2024 – I stopped by to tell my tailor, James, goodbye as I moved through the village playing the accordion. I can see why he has three wives – nice man☺️
Two new school libraries now brings our total to 55 libraries: 46 in Ugandan schools; 3 in prisons, and 6 in Kenyan schools. We have 60 sponsored students of which 15 are in college. We have 13 university graduates. We never leave these libraries. They are constantly checked on, and training is continual for our librarians. Librarian meetings were held this year in Kampala and Mbale Uganda, plus Ngong, Kenya. There is always teaching, learning, and singing. Our librarians are a family.
Namirembe Primary was the first of our 52 libraries. We never leave a library. They receive new books every two to three years.
Libraries of Love is grateful for this small but amazing group that prepares 10,000-15,000 books each year for our libraries in Uganda and Kenya. Many, many thanks to Anna, Betty, Jim, Paula, and Ellen! Your work is appreciated by thousands who receive the books on the other side of the world!
Here is this year’s story told in photos from from Executive Director Trudy Marshall. Hope you enjoy it and keep up to date on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesOfLove.
January 12, 2023 – Board member responsible for book shipment, Jim Matthews, reports: “The books have started their journey to Uganda at about noon today.” That means they are just a day behind Executive Director Trudy Marshall, who flew to Uganda yesterday. Her trip will be more than 24 hours. The books will go by sea and take about 2 months.
January 25, 2023 – Something new! Our librarians didn’t know what a book cart was until we delivered our first ten today. More will be made soon! The cart has shelves on both sides. It will be a great place for kids to put their return books! Librarians will then put the books in order and roll them to the shelves. THANK YOU to those who support our work and make this possible.
February 4, 2023 – We just had 20 new shelving units made for new libraries and some for previous libraries in which we are adding books. Our metal fabricator does great work!
February 10, 2023 – Meet one of Libraries of Loves’ wonderful librarians, Winnie. Winnie and I have spent two days weeding endless books, repairing others, then totally reorganizing the library once more. North Roads library was provided in 2008. It has 3,000 students and approximately 9,000 books.
February 13, 2023 – I trained a librarian and students at a new school today. There is so much to teach: the sections of books – easy, fiction, non- fiction; how to use shelf markers to mark the place when you are looking at a book; the way to fill out a card for borrowing, etc. I then asked the teacher to take all the boys out. The girls were to select, then leave with their books. Next, the boys could come. Too many kiddos.
Thousands of children read daily from our libraries. Promoting literacy – changing lives! It is one of the best possible legacies!
March 2, 2023 – So wonderful to visit in libraries and see how much they truly love the books! There are 109 students in this 4th grade class! I visited in three school libraries today.
March 6, 2023 – Impressive! This morning, I found that this 1st grade class knew how to use shelf markers and also how to fill out their cards for borrowing. Namirembe Primary was the first of our 52 school libraries. We never leave a library. They receive new books every two to three years.
March 23, 2023 – The container arrived today. Over 10,000 books were delivered to 23 schools. Thankfully, the team in Texas put the name on each box of the receiving school, using different colored labels. The 230 boxes were delivered in four towns. Many thanks to those who helped unload. Special thanks to Herbert Segujja for simply taking charge of the entire process and working 12 hours straight. He gave directions to all, but probably moved more boxes than anyone. Also, thanks to Tony, my boda driver, for delivering boxes to various schools and taking all the boxes for Kenya to storage. Extra special thanks to the Texas team and our donors that make this possible! We also appreciate our awesome customs agent, John Kisitu!
April 21, 2023 – We had a wonderful meeting with our Kenyan and Mbale, Uganda, librarians! Information about best library practices was shared. Afterwards, everyone joined in singing and Maasai dancing! Great day! We are a Libraries of Love family.
April 21, 2023 – We appreciate Herbert Segujja, our Ugandan Libraries of Love supervisor, who helped lead the meeting!
May 3, 2023 – Meet Suzan! Suzan first became sponsored in 5th grade. She now has her two-year education certificate and is teaching at a private school. During breaks, she attends college classes to get her four year degree. Libraries of Love has 60 sponsored students, plus 13 university graduates. Blessings to our sponsors!
May 17, 2023 – Our Kenyan librarians came to Uganda for a librarians’ meeting. They returned to Kenya with new books for their libraries!
June 4, 2023 – This is one of our Kenyan libraries. Also, pictured is Joseph, who overseas our libraries in Kenya. Great guy! All the libraries received new books this year!
June 5, 2023 – The new library at God’s Care Primary is a wrap. So beautiful. The team did great work. Our van driver even pitched in as we organized books. We just picked up the Richards with their four children at the airport! We will have a busy two weeks!
June 6, 2023 – Today was an amazing reading competition by members of the book clubs at Mengo SS, Kings College- Budo, and Makerere College HS. Each entry was related to books or the library. 1. Best original poetry related to a book. 2. Best Character dress up with book summary. 3. Best original book cover. 4. Best art piece related to a book. 5. Best skit summarizing a book. 6. Best actor, acting out part of a book.
June 7, 2023 – Mengo Secondary was crowded today as the students were so anxious to borrow the new books. They have a huge readers club that entertained the team. So thankful for Epapaphras who arranged everything the last two days!
June 9, 2023 – Beautiful day. Patty got to meet her sponsored, Drake. The Richard’s family met with their two sponsored, Kato and Sam! We all had a wonderful visit! Sponsors change lives!
June 9, 2023 – Such a wonderful team this year: Patti Jurena Turner, Bonnie Foy, Harold and Diane Williams Holland, Ben and Kristi Richards – plus their four children. They have been a joy, as well as hard workers! Pictured with them on the left is Herbert Segujja, our Uganda supervisor and his family. On the right is one of our sponsored, Sam, standing with his sponsors.
June 13, 2023 – We had a royal welcome today when we put in a new library in Prime Junior School in Sironko. Many grade levels sang welcoming songs and recited poems of welcome. The library is beautiful and the kids are excited about the books.
June 16, 2023 – Safari time!
June 22, 2023 – I had a wonderful time with students in our library at Kepeto, Kenya. They love the African themed books! When we first went to this school many had not been around white skin and they were afraid of us. Now we are good friends. They love their library!
June 23, 2023 – I enjoyed time with 9 of our 15 Kenyan sponsored students today. I’m so thankful for those who change lives through sponsorship.
June 30, 2023 – The swings are finished at Prime Junior Primary School, where we placed a new library. Before, they had two frames for swings. Donors gave money to put new, real, swings on both frames. The school added some to our money to fix up some other equipment. Happy kids! Thanks to the donors!
July 3, 2023 – Monday is market day in my little town in Kenya. Maasai come from the surrounding areas to sell all their various goods – clothing, shoes, Maasai shukas /wraps, jewelry, food, cows, sheep, goats, etc. I enjoy walking through the market.
July 4, 2023 – A lot of teaching, learning, singing, food, and fellowship took place with some of our Kenyan principals and librarians today! Wonderful group of educators!
July 6, 2023 – Kids going home from school. The driver told me I would fit on the back. Maybe not!
July 11, 2023 – Today I walked into a classroom in one of our schools in Kenya. I was happy to see each student reading a book from our library!
July 11, 2023 – I’ll miss my little Maasai town of Ewauso Kedong. It’s nice to be in a small village here and in Uganda where everyone knows each other, including the lone mzungu!
July 14, 2023 -Definitely will be missing my Uganda neighbor kiddos as I return to Texas.
July 16, 2023 – THANKFUL! Seriously, I wasn’t sure I would make it back this time. Malaria – with bacterial and viral infections at the same time, was too much. I quit counting after fifteen bottles of liquid had been pumped in my veins along with other injections. I am thankful the doctors and friends from my church, Pearl Haven, in Uganda, took charge and put me under their care. I felt sure you – my friends, and my family – were praying. The worst night, I closed my eyes and felt those prayers / His presence, wrap around me. May God bless you for lifting me up in prayer. Those prayers truly made a difference. God must have more plans for me in the future…..’Here I am Lord. Send me!’
Love what Musa, on the right, wrote to his sponsor: “I had no hope of going to the university. My parents were unable to pay the money, and they had given up on me. I was only left with the hope for dropping out of school and finding a minor job to do for my daily food. But now I’m at the university and happy! My life has changed from hopeless to having hope and nothing to something. The first time I stepped to school, it was a dream to me. Thank you sponsor for everything. Words cannot express it, but you have planted a seed in me. “ God bless our sponsors!
Libraries of Love now has ten sponsored students who have graduated from college. Ten more are now pursuing their degrees at various universities! Plus, there are 48 more sponsored still in primary or secondary. Six of the young men pictured are now at various universities, as well as several girls, also. Very thankful for our sponsors– truly changing lives!
Our wonderful Kampala sponsored young people! Most have been sponsored since early elementary school. They now range from 7th grade to college.
March 27: Several of my ‘crazy’ God Squad ll guys met at my house today. The four on the back row are now in college studying the following: Sylvester – Crop Engineer; Aaron – Nursing; Yusef – Accounting; Godfrey – Nursing. The two in front, Dan and Selah are in high school. They are SO very thankful for their sponsors. We had endless laughs, chicken and chips, then Sylvester preached a sermon. As we prayed holding hands, I cried. I am so thankful for these guys and their sponsors. Our other guys are away at universities at present.
April 23: I met today in Mbale with twenty–nine of our sixty–two sponsored students. Most of these have been sponsored since early primary, with several now in high school or college. Thanks to their sponsors, someday they will all be university graduates! Missing was Juma who is at the university studying pharmacy.
Our sponsored kids in Ewauso town. Other sponsored live out of Ewauso… I’ve known most since they were very young.
March 6: Great time yesterday visiting 9 sponsored Maasai kids’ homes. The longest distance to a home was about 1 hour 15 minutes. All homes were over long paths/trails through the bush. At times, the paths were so bad the cycle couldn’t pass safely. We had to get off and walk. I was thankful that Maria, who helps with our sponsored program, was able to go and help with directions.
We don’t just put books in a room. We keep the shelves fresh with new books as older ones get worn from constant use. This year, we restocked 18 libraries and created two new ones. Executive Director Trudy Marshall spends 6 months in Africa each year looking after our libraries, sponsored students and humanitarian efforts. When she is back in Texas doing the work to collect books and financing, a dedicated group looks after Libraries of Love’s work.
Trudy Marshall: So very thankful for Annet and Herbert who continue the daily work of our sponsored kids, libraries, and humanitarian work in Uganda while I’m away. Also, very thankful for Julian, (not pictured) who oversees Mbale libraries. Pictured next to Herbert is his wife, Doris. Tony, on the left, runs errands, takes sick people to the hospital for me, and checks on my house. A wonderful group!
January 28: Welcome to my small hometown, Ewauso, Kenya.
January 24: Cheers for our Kenyan librarian, Victoria, who meets with all students in Ewauso Girls Secondary each week! The library looks beautiful.
January 31: Cooking lunch at Ewauso Primary – beans and maize (corn). The maize will be made into food like our thick cream of wheat.
February 7: Today, I trained 7th and 8th graders in the organization of their library. The students love the books. I will need to send funds to install a ceiling and one wall. At present, one wall just has a partition. The noise from the class next door is too much. The principal, Mr. Nkipai, is excellent in encouraging the use of the library. Cheers for Ewauso Primary!
February 19: I had a wonderful day with our Kenyan librarians. We had lots of laughter, good food, and library instruction – of course!
February 19: So funny! I had a Kenyan librarians’ meeting today. After lunch, I told them in honor of my grands, we needed to see who could make the best face with food left on their plate. They voted the ‘dinosaur’ man as the winner:)
February 24: We gave this lady a lift today. She told my driver she thought we were age–mates. She is 80. I think I’d better go double check in the mirror and then put on a gallon of age defying face cream:). Ha! Sweet lady!
March 23: Many thanks to The Delta Kappa Gamma International Chapter, ETA Tau, for providing 44 of the African themed books from our Amazon list. The students truly love these books as they can identify with the villages, young people, food, etc. A special thank you to Mary Treacy Wallace who arranged this generous donation.
March 25: Our librarian at King’s College– Budo (a high school) arrived at work at 7:25am this morning. This student was sitting outside the door reading. She was waiting to go in and borrow more books!
April 5: Monday a container of books was shipped from Texas. The books are now headed to me in Uganda for our libraries. Thank you, Jim Matthews, for handling shipping! **Already this amazing group is preparing books for 2023 African libraries. God bless you Paula, Jim, Betty, Ellen, and Anna.
April 11: Thirty-eight librarians from 12 cities and 2 countries. We had 1 1/2 days of library training, which included library instruction, but also fun games such as Dewey bingo. We also shared interesting books. Of course, there was lots of singing. Our Kenya Maasai team led in Maasai singing and dancing. It was a great time of learning and fun!
April 27: One of Libraries of Love’s fifty beautiful libraries!! We believe the African child deserves libraries equal to American young people.
May 16: Libraries of Love never leaves a library. Namirembe Primary was our first library provided in 2005. It recently was repainted and received a new ceiling, plus new carpet will arrive this week. In two months, it will be restocked with approximately 600 new books.
May 23: One of our most beautiful libraries– Kings College Budo. It was built in 1912 to serve as a chapel.
May 24: Wonderful meeting today with 26 of our headteachers / principals. We started with prayer and then the song, ‘We are together again…’ Several came in after the song. Ugandans do not grow up with school libraries, so it’s important to hold informational meetings.
May 31: Grace Primary. One row at a time selects their books. Next, each will fill out the card in his/her book with the date of return, name, and class.
June 2: Libraries of Love provides beautiful metal bookshelves for each of its libraries. Pictured are two, of many, being provided for new libraries.
June 4: It’s a wrap! I’ve had two meetings attended by a our sponsored students, held in Kampala and Mbale, Uganda. In Kenya, I traveled to each remote home. A large librarian meeting was held which included our librarians from Kenya, as well as seven cities in Uganda. Also, twenty–six headteachers / principals attended our meeting three weeks ago in Kampala. This week, the last meeting, was for our Mbale headteachers.
June 14: Pictured are 107 kids, all from one class, having library time at one of our elementary schools. The kids have hardly any room to move and select books. I have suggested the librarian divide the time in half, seeing girls the first half, and boys the second. We have some schools with even larger class population – up to 180.
June 18: A small part of the 400+ boxes of books that arrived from Texas today! We are very thankful for the HM (principal) of Kitante Primary and staff members who had the boxes unloaded and stacked in order by school. Many thanks to those who donated books and funding. We appreciate each of you! It is a happening! Eighteen years of providing libraries in Uganda and Kenya!
June 21: Students love their library!
June 27: We restocked three libraries today with hundreds of books each. I enjoyed reading book reports at MotherCare Primary that were displayed in two places in the library.
Book reports at MotherCare Primary are displayed on the wall in the library.
June 28: Library #12 restocked! Bombo Military Secondary received 574 new books today. I’m thankful that at each high school we’ve had students that have volunteered to help organize the books.
June 28: The ‘Lunch Bunch.’ These students all came to read books during their lunch break at Kitante Primary.
They left their shoes at the door …
July 6: Mengo SS was busy with students today! 8th and 9th grade classes come as a group. The remainder of students come in their free time. This beautiful library is well used!
Libraries of Love Africa 
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