BACKGROUNDDistrict of Gakenke is one of 5 districts in the Northern Province with 19 sectors and a total population of 233,217. Gakenke Ville is the district decentralized capital and will be the site of the proposed library. Gakenke Ville consists of two sectors, Nemba and Gakenke. Nemba sector is home to Nemba District Hospital, one of two district hospitals. The hospital provided full range of primary care services, Emergency department and other services and is supported by a community health center that processes over 150 patients per day. Gakenke Ville is also home to several schools including primary and secondary schools. The district is not supported with any vocational schools or post-secondary education. Other than a modest library at the district hospital with some dated medical books, the district has no libraries in place.
The main employers in the area include the district office including the office of the district Mayor, the vice mayors for social services and health and business development. Other local and international partners include:
GE Healthcare and GE Foundation – supporting the district hospital and local health centers through the donation of vital medical equipments as well as technical and educational staff training.
World Vision – technical assistance, education, nutrition
Medicus Mundi – healthcare services, facilities support, technical training
BTC – infrastructure support, facilities development
The Global Fund – technical support and training and facility construction in the fight against infection disease
The Access Project – technical support with medical staff education and training
US Peace Corps – community service and development
COMMUNITY NEEDS 
Like many communities around Rwanda, the community in Gakenke has many needs starting with clean water sources, nutrition services, medical care and education. Several national and local initiatives as well as resources are being mobilized to meet community needs. However, despite recent development and support from local and regional authority classrooms continue to be cramped with students who also have to share one book for every 3-4 students. The community also lake a resource center or the tools that can help the next generation learn important skills and knowledge essential for this digital age.
Directors of the local schools, the district authority along with the support from the local Peace Corps volunteer and Books for Africa port from the local Peace Corps volunteer, will work to provide the initial seed for securing needed text books and resources to school aged students as well as developing a community resource center. The goal of the public resource center is to provide access to books in different subjects and domains, enrich the local community in terms of cultural exchange and knowledge, as well as provide a computer resource center to teach commuter science skills.
See Appendix A for order form.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONThe community at Gakenke is very supportive and excited about the prospect of having a well stocked library in their community reflected in the support from the Mayor’s office and ending with school children at the local elementary school. In show of good will the local community is committing the following resources:
The district office to commit needed resources in terms of securing an adequate space to house a community public library.
Director of Education Services along with directors of local schools to secure clean and adequate space at schools to house library books in an environment that is conductive to learning and cultural exchange.
The proposal is being shared with other NGOs and partners supporting the community at large in Gakenke whom are expected to provide technical support and other donations in kind.
The president of the local Joint Action Development Forum known as Terimbere Gakenke, is offering store front space rent-free. The space will be used to house the Rwando-American Social and Cultural Organization (ROSCO). This organization is a joint effort directed by the local Peace Corps volunteer in Gakenke and other community members. The mission of the organization is to stimulate cross-cultural exchange between Rwanda and the US with a social atmosphere. The donated space is to showcase Rwandan art and culture, include books, references, and other media resources on American history and culture.
CASE FOR SUPPORTING THIS COMMUNITY
Similar to many other communities in Rwanda, the local population is eager to learn and hungry for new knowledge and skills. However, the community at Gakenke is home to a diverse group of population given the presence of one two District Hospitals, a boarding secondary school, the district office including the mayor’s office and other district authority facilities. In addition, this community is supported by Peace Corps and Peace Corps volunteers that will ensure continuity of the project with focus on sustainability and training of local community members.
This week marks the annual campaign for vaccination of new born and infants in Rwanda. The campaign is organized by the MOH and other partners including the UNICEF, The Global Fund, The Access Project and other international organizations.
I got to participate in the campaign in my district and accopmanied the Vice Mayor for Health and Social Services during her visit to one of the health centers to inaugurate the three day campaign. Such visits by high level officials, which also included representatives from local health centers, the local defence forces, and other officials, promote such prevention campaigns and encourage the general population to participate.
