Reading empowers schools, Arusha
A new school library at Oloirien Secondary School in Arusha provides access to books and sustainably strengthens literacy skills for 1,020 students. Teacher training, reading clubs, and structured reading time foster a vibrant reading culture and open up long-term educational and life opportunities.
The project
In Tanzania, an average of eight children share one schoolbook; in some classes, a single copy must suffice for everyone. At the Oloirien Secondary School in Arusha, the situation is similar: no library, hardly any reading materials, and a teaching system that relies heavily on rote learning. For 1,020 students, this severely limits learning opportunities, as access to one of the most essential resources is missing – books.
The project “Reading Empowers Schools” establishes a 120-square-meter school library on campus: a bright and quiet learning space equipped with shelves, tables, and chairs. Schoolbooks, children’s and young adult literature, as well as non-fiction titles in English and Kiswahili, will be available for reading on site or borrowing.
Beyond creating a physical space, the project fosters a vibrant reading culture. Teachers receive training in library management and reading pedagogy. Reading clubs, dedicated reading times, and competitions encourage motivation, confidence, and joy in reading. Local educational experts support the implementation and sustainably strengthen students’ literacy skills.
The goal is for every young person at Oloirien School to read fluently, with comprehension and confidence. Literacy is a key driver of academic success, expanded life opportunities, and long-term pathways out of poverty.
The impact reaches far beyond the school grounds: families are strengthened, the educational landscape in Arusha is positively shaped, and structures are created that will benefit future generations of students. The library becomes more than a building – it becomes a place where futures begin.
