OCLF: Who we are

Who we are

The Osu Children’s Library Fund (OCLF) is a team with two distinct parts—one based in North America and one in Africa— that share the same mission: to bring books and literacy skills to African children and adults. The founder and director of the OCLF is Kathy Knowles. She runs the organization from her home in Winnipeg and visits Africa twice a year to oversee library projects.

Recognizing that the majority of young African children have little or no access to storybooks, the OCLF’s aim is to encourage and facilitate the joy of reading. We do this by creating libraries and stocking them with carefully chosen, stimulating and culturally appropriate books. The libraries are staffed by caring, trained personnel who create a safe, clean and colourful environment conducive to learning.

The programs of the libraries have expanded to include literacy classes for adults and children unable to attend school. Giving illiterate adults and children the opportunity to learn to read and write helps them grow into a culture of literacy and further their job prospects.

Ghanaians recognize the importance of literacy and are enthusiastic supporters of our program. They seek OCLF assistance because it has proven to be effective, reliable, efficient, and friendly. OCLF always works at the grassroots level, seeking the support and participation of the elders and members of the host community.

Who we are | History | Library profiles | Librarians | Volunteers | Recognition

Sharing the Joy of Reading with the African Child
Who we are \| Director's Letter \| Approach \| News \| Nima Centre \| You can help \| Publications \| Contact
"It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller will never die in Africa, that all children in the world may experience the wonder of books, and that they will never lose the capacity to enlarge their earthly dwelling place with the magic of stories." Nelson Mandela	Who we are \| History \| Library profiles \| Librarians \| Volunteers \| Recognition Who we are The Osu Children’s Library Fund (OCLF) is a team with two distinct parts—one based in North America and one in Africa— that share the same mission: to bring books and literacy skills to African children and adults. The founder and director of the OCLF is Kathy Knowles. She runs the organization from her home in Winnipeg and visits Africa twice a year to oversee library projects. Recognizing that the majority of young African children have little or no access to storybooks, the OCLF’s aim is to encourage and facilitate the joy of reading. We do this by creating libraries and stocking them with carefully chosen, stimulating and culturally appropriate books. The libraries are staffed by caring, trained personnel who create a safe, clean and colourful environment conducive to learning. The programs of the libraries have expanded to include literacy classes for adults and children unable to attend school. Giving illiterate adults and children the opportunity to learn to read and write helps them grow into a culture of literacy and further their job prospects. Ghanaians recognize the importance of literacy and are enthusiastic supporters of our program. They seek OCLF assistance because it has proven to be effective, reliable, efficient, and friendly. OCLF always works at the grassroots level, seeking the support and participation of the elders and members of the host community. Who we are \| History \| Library profiles \| Librarians \| Volunteers \| Recognition
Who we are \| Director's Letter \| Approach \| News \| Nima Centre \| You can help \| Publications \| Contact