Sharing the Joy of Reading with the African Child

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Joanna Felih
Head Librarian, Kathy Knowles Community Library, Accra

Joanna has been with us since our first small library began on Osu Avenue in 1991. Joanna not only runs her very busy library but also handles training programs for lay librarians, teaches adult literacy
classes and oversees the day-to-day running of all our libraries.

Joanna travelled to Canada in 2005 to visit and volunteer with Canadian schools and literacy groups. She travelled to Tanzania in 2007 to help set up seven children’s libraries in rural areas.

Joanna: “I am very excited to work in this library. Every day, I watch so many children learning to read and I see many adults in our literacy classes also learning to read and write. All this puts a smile on my face!”

Hannah Opoku-Agyeman
Head Librarian, Nima Maamobi Gale Community Library, Accra

Hannah became the head librarian of the Nima Library when it opened in 1998. She has since overseen a huge expansion of activities including free literacy classes, a scholarship program, a food and bathing program, a book club and a girl’s football team. The library is a very active place, with 10,000 members! In 2001, Hannah travelled to Canada for a cultural exchange with Canada Crossroads International and returned with many new ideas for her library.

Hannah: “Working in this library has been such a great inspiration for me, motivating me to give my best at all times. I am very happy to be part of this great success story.”

Sophia Sackey
Head Librarian, Mamprobi Gale Community Library, Accra

Since 2001, Sophia Sackey has been the dedicated head librarian for a library adjacent to a large government school compound with thousands of students. Literacy classes for adults and story times around the large tree keep Sophia busy.

Abigail Elisha
Head Librarian, Nungua Community Library, Nungua

Abigail has been part of our library community since we opened the beautiful new Nungua Library in 2003. This is one of our largest libraries. On many days, there are more than 350 children in the library!

Abigail: “I love working with children so the library provides a perfect opportunity for me to meet and enjoy so many of them. The children love coming here to read books or do puzzles. On the days when the building is packed with children, we are all kept very busy!”

Vivian Amanour
Head Librarian, Kathy Knowles Community Library, Goi

Vivian’s first library was on the beach where she read to children from a basket of books. The children were so keen that she persuaded the school officials to give her a small classroom to be used as a library. As numbers grew, it was clear that they needed more space. With the strong support of the community, OCLF opened a new freestanding library in June 2008. At the community’s request, it was named the Kathy Knowles Community Library, Goi.

Taufic Bombie
Director, Nima Maamobi Learning Centre, Accra

Taufic grew up in Nima, a large impoverished corner of Accra, and is familiar with challenges of that community. After achieving a diploma in social work, he was appointed director of the Nima Centre in 2006. He is always seeking opportunities to promote the advancement of his community.

Taufic: “The terrace of the new Learning Centre overlooks Nima, a vast community in great need of change. Day by day, our Centre is providing the vehicle for that change. I am very happy and privileged to be part of this exciting development.”

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