SEWA KENYA, operating under the Hindu Religious & Service Centre (HRSC), organized a transformative School Library Capacity-Building Workshop aimed at empowering learners through libraries by strengthening reading culture and improving library use in schools. The workshop brought together committee members, volunteers, teachers, and students from Makutano DEB, Nunga, Sofia, and ABC Wamunyu Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Wamunyu Division, Machakos County. SEWA KENYA, meaning selfless service to Kenya, is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe, vibrant, and resource-rich learning spaces that enable children to explore, imagine, and grow through well-established school libraries.
Held on 21st November 2025 at Deendayal Bhavan, Nairobi, the workshop was coordinated by Project Manager Mrs. Vidya Chandrasekhar and Project Coordinator Mrs. Lakshmi C.B.R. The event was honoured by the presence of Shri Ratilal Shah, Mrs. Janaki Sekhar Agastyaraju (Chairperson, HRSC Women’s Wing), and Mrs. Sonal Satish Patel, whose attendance set an inspiring tone for a day focused on learning, collaboration, and renewed commitment to literacy development across SEWA KENYA schools.
The workshop’s theme, “Empowering learners through libraries,” guided the day’s engagements. Ms. Christine Mayende, among other facilitators, led a session on Practical Library Management. She encouraged learners to read widely, explore their interests, and excel academically with the aspiration of joining the University of Nairobi for higher education. Ms. Mayende emphasized that well-managed libraries provide an organized, welcoming, and easily accessible environment where students can confidently locate and enjoy books aligned with their interests and learning needs.
She further highlighted the importance of teacher-learner collaboration, explaining that it transforms learners from passive recipients into active participants. Activities such as shared reading, group discussions, and reading circles would help learners to engage more deeply and strengthen their comprehension. In addition, she emphasized the importance of proper record-keeping, including borrower logs, circulation data, and inventory lists, which enable teachers and librarians to monitor reading habits and provide targeted support. An organized, well-maintained library, she noted, motivates learners to explore books and fosters lifelong literacy skills. She concluded by emphasizing that sustainable library services are crucial for ensuring consistent reading exposure and achieving a meaningful, long-term impact.
Ms. Mayende also applauded SEWA KENYA for establishing fully furnished libraries and ensuring that schools are not only well equipped but also empowered through training that enables both learners and teachers to use the libraries effectively and sustainably. She reaffirmed the importance of maintaining well-organized, functional libraries as a foundation for nurturing strong reading habits and supporting long-term literacy development among learners.
