Building Rwanda’s First Public Library
21-10-2002 ()
Site of the new building in Kigali
© Rotary Club of Kigali
A call for help building Rwanda’s first public library on the country’s capital Kigali has recently been addressed by the Ministry of Education of Rwanda to UNESCO. The cornerstone of the library was placed by Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza on May 11, 2001. Its opening is foreseen for next year.
The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga is closely involved in the project. WebWorld publishes its appeal for help.
“Help Build Rwanda's First Public Library : Transforming Tools of Destruction into Tools of Knowledge”
The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, chartered in October 2000, wanted to work on a project that would help Rwanda rebuild after the devastation of the 1994 genocide, during which over 1 million Rwandans were killed. Its hope is that the tools used during the genocide to kill one's neighbour will be transformed into tools that will rebuild their society. Building Rwanda's first public library was an obvious choice for its first project and has become its club's mission and dream.
They immediately received strong support from Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Mayor of Kigali, Theoneste Mutsindashyake. The Government of Rwanda donated a wonderful plot of land within easy walking distance or a short taxi ride for the majority of the population of Kigali. Five architectural firms participated in a competition to design the library building. The winning design is a modern structure reflecting the elegance of Rwandan art and culture and will be a landmark for years to come. This design also allows maximum flexibility – permitting the size and quality of the library to expand as more funds become available. The cornerstone of the new library was placed by Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza on May 11, 2001. The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga plans to open Rwanda's first public library in early 2003.
Because library membership will be free, the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga will hold fund raising events throughout the year to provide a healthy budget for the establishment of the library and to ensure that it will continue to function indefinitely.
After the library building is completed, staffed and stocked with books and equipment, the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga will hand it over to a Library Management Board. Members of the Board will include the eight Premier Donors to the library, members of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, and representatives of the Kigali Mayor's Office and the Government of Rwanda. The Board will determine the best means for raising funds to manage and sustain the library.
For more information or if you want to contribute in the Kigali Public Library project, please visit their website at www.kigalilibrary.org or contact them at :
The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga
P.O.Box 6164
Kigali
Rwanda
District 9150
Project Number: W04312
email : kigalilibrary@aol.com
“Help Build Rwanda's First Public Library : Transforming Tools of Destruction into Tools of Knowledge”
The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, chartered in October 2000, wanted to work on a project that would help Rwanda rebuild after the devastation of the 1994 genocide, during which over 1 million Rwandans were killed. Its hope is that the tools used during the genocide to kill one's neighbour will be transformed into tools that will rebuild their society. Building Rwanda's first public library was an obvious choice for its first project and has become its club's mission and dream.
They immediately received strong support from Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Mayor of Kigali, Theoneste Mutsindashyake. The Government of Rwanda donated a wonderful plot of land within easy walking distance or a short taxi ride for the majority of the population of Kigali. Five architectural firms participated in a competition to design the library building. The winning design is a modern structure reflecting the elegance of Rwandan art and culture and will be a landmark for years to come. This design also allows maximum flexibility – permitting the size and quality of the library to expand as more funds become available. The cornerstone of the new library was placed by Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza on May 11, 2001. The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga plans to open Rwanda's first public library in early 2003.
Because library membership will be free, the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga will hold fund raising events throughout the year to provide a healthy budget for the establishment of the library and to ensure that it will continue to function indefinitely.
After the library building is completed, staffed and stocked with books and equipment, the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga will hand it over to a Library Management Board. Members of the Board will include the eight Premier Donors to the library, members of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, and representatives of the Kigali Mayor's Office and the Government of Rwanda. The Board will determine the best means for raising funds to manage and sustain the library.
For more information or if you want to contribute in the Kigali Public Library project, please visit their website at www.kigalilibrary.org or contact them at :
The Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga
P.O.Box 6164
Kigali
Rwanda
District 9150
Project Number: W04312
email : kigalilibrary@aol.com
Related themes/countries
· Libraries: News Archives 2002
· Rwanda: News Archives 2002
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- UNESCO
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