Osu Children’s Library Fundwas founded by a Canadian, Kathy Knowles. It all began when Kathy started to read to children under a tree and word spread fast- to the point where she began this fund as a non- profit Canadian organization. The first library was founded in 1992, as a converted shipping container, and now there are seven additional branch librariesthroughout the Greater Accra Region and two outside this area. Each library caters to a different population and they are all unique in their own way.
We had the privilege to visit one of the chain libraries, Nima Maamobi Community Learning Center, founded in 2006, which is located right in front of a beautiful mosque and caters mostly to the Muslim population in the area.
It has a small library downstairs, towards the back, that contains a few hundred books, mostly in English and with European stories. However, there are a handful of books with original Ghanaian stories and a smaller portion in Twi, a local language. The library fund also publishes its own books, mainly authored by Kathy, but she uses the platform to tell the stories of the people in the community and makes books that make more sense to Ghanaian children. For example, they have a book on colors where the objects in the book, are objects your average Ghanaian child can find in their surroundings.
Upstairs, the building has a reading/work area for adults- The Reading Hall, and it is where their adult literacy classes take place as well as other events. Downstairs, you have a beautiful theater in which Martin, the playwriter and director, organizes plays for the children to perform to the community. He writes about topics that pertain the community and that can educate them as well such as gender roles, social issues, HIV/AIDS, literacy, among others.
Reading Hall- Upstairs 
Theater- Downstairs
Funding- This center was built through donations by Osu Children’s Library Fund (OCLF), and they also provide all the books as well as the maintenance. The land itself was purchased by the City of Accra and the salaries of the staff are actually paid by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. The partnership between the government, OCLF, and the community, has made this organization successful for 13 years now.
I found Nima Maamobi like a breath of fresh air as it is the only library within walking distance from this community- but even then, some children must walk 30 minutes to get there. One of the major challenges this organization faces is that it is located in front of a highway- making it difficult for young children to cross the busy street alone. The organization has begun to help children cross the street when they leave the library but getting there in the first place remains a challenge. Another challenge expressed by the kids is the fact that there is a need for more books because they have read them all at this point. And the challenge that all of Ghana seems to be facing remains prevalent in this organization as well- the lack of computers.
If I were to suggest how this organization can quickly improve, I would suggest having a larger collection of African books and having more organized classes and creative projects for the children. The kids themselves can and should work together to write and illustrate their own books and enhance the collection Kathy has started.
If Nima Maamobi was not present in this community, children would have to walk 1 hour to get to the nearest library because libraries are not prevalent in schools. This community has lower literacy rates and higher dropout rates than the bigger population in Ghana, therefore, it is NEEDED. While it is small, it has made a huge impact on this community. The center also offers children dinner- so if they go to the center after school, they won’t be hungry.
Libraries are one of the biggest transmitters of knowledge- Like Dr. Seuss Said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” So this place is more than a budding with books but it is a place where people of all ages share and acquire knowledge, a place that enables people to think and create.
International grassroot organizations have made a huge positive impact in Ghana. OCLF, B.A.S.I.C.S, and City of Refugee were started by people who went to Ghana to volunteer but saw the need in the communities and used their resources to help. Now, there are children with a library, children that have access to education, and children who have been saved from human trafficking that are in these places instead of in the streets. Children are the future of Ghana and empowering and educating the younger population is where I believe change begins. Maybe one day one of these kids will work for the government or run for office and they will be able to make a bigger, transformational change to the country. Maybe, they will make a library in every school, or cut costs for children to attend school, or implement human trafficking education in the curriculum and all because of the help these organizations are doing.
If you find yourself visiting OCLF, ask when their next play will be, maybe you’ll be a lucky one able to attend.
Author: Abigail Sanchez
Ghana 
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