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A free library and reading room: a volunteer-led effort in Nairobi
Volunteers in Nairobi are raising $700 for a free library and reading room at the old Jacaranda bus depot.
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For ten years the neighborhood has asked for a free library and reading room. This year a group of 14 volunteers, including a group of teenagers, decided to stop waiting. The council has given permission for the old Jacaranda bus depot, but no funding.
We have received donated volunteer hours worth about $125, and the remaining cost is $700.
It will serve about 532 people, including local farmers and market traders. We'll hold a build day in June and everyone is invited.
We're a small team, and every dollar will be spent in the open - I'll post receipts and progress photos.
Funds are spent only on materials, permits and safety equipment; all labor is volunteered.
Where the $700 goes:
• Materials: $520
• Permits and inspections: $30
• Safety equipment and signage: $80
• Tools hire and delivery: $70
Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure.
- Hellen
Updates from Hellen
Wanted to say thank you properly. 68% funded and the plan for materials is now scheduled.
Update from Nairobi: I made the first payment toward materials. We're at 45% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.
- Anonymous 🇵🇱 · $100
“Only $100 but hope it helps. - Poznań”
- Selin Dilara Yalçın 🇩🇪 · $100
- Suresh G. Panwar 🇮🇳 · $75
- Giovana Tatiane Ferreira 🇧🇷 · $73
- Ezekiel T. Reid 🇬🇧 · $54
- Waleed Karim Abdallah 🇸🇦 · $50
- Riley E. Willis 🇳🇿 · $41
- Travis Parker 🇬🇧 · $30
- Manisha Sushma Basnet 🇳🇵 · $25
- Seung-woo Ha-joon Ku 🇺🇸 · $25
“Good luck. Hope the June deadline works out. - Fresno”
- Lokesh P. Varadarajan 🇮🇳 · $25
- Festus Chidi Okoro 🇳🇬 · $25
- Mustafa İsmail Can 🇩🇪 · $25
- Sophia W. Davis 🇺🇸 · $20
- Anitha C. Panicker 🇮🇳 · $20
- Vivian Peace Olawale 🇳🇬 · $10
- Faith L. Palmer 🇺🇸 · $10
“Sending love. Thought of Hellen all day after reading this.”
- Mónica B. Mora 🇺🇸 · $10
- Kai Xiang He 🇺🇸 · $10
- Anonymous 🇮🇹 · $10
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Thinking of you, Hellen. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Take care.
gave what I could, wish it was more. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. God bless
Thinking of you and your family, Hellen. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in
Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Hellen
The list at the bottom is the whole picture. materials is the biggest at $520. Thanks for asking.
Hang in there, Hellen. Great idea, hope you get there. Thinking of Nairobi
Your post was clear and honest. We're a small family in Varanasi but we're thinking of you. All the best.
Keep going. Great idea, hope you get there. My neighbor in Fresno donated after I showed her your page.
Hope it all works out. Looking forward to the next update. Greetings from Savannah.
Hang in there, Hellen. Shared it with a few friends. My husband and I read this together.
Great idea, hope you get there. Thinking of Nairobi