- Abgeschlossen: new furniture & fans
- Abgeschlossen: books & games for children of different ages
Lusaka
Natubelenge Children's Library
The library grew out of a simple idea: to give children a safe place to read, learn and grow. What began in 2015 under a mango tree is today a sheltered learning space with one-to-one support — and for many children a real chance to catch up at school again.
- 2025 year
- 50 - 100 children per day
Two founders. One simple idea. A big effect.
The Natubelenge Children's Library in Lusaka was founded in 2015 by two friends, Nachizo and Mainess. Both were unemployed at the time, but determined to change something for the children in their neighbourhood. In an area where schools were overcrowded and books or quiet places to study barely existed, they started with what they had: an open reading area under a mango tree in their own garden.
What began as an improvised meeting point for children grew step by step into a permanent place of learning, carried by personal commitment, staying power and the conviction that reading is the key to education, self-confidence and future opportunities. Today Mainess works full time for the library, while Nachizo works as a teacher. Together they run an organisation that goes far beyond classic reading support.
Why this library matters so much
Many of the children who come to the library fall through the cracks of the public school system. Oversized classes, missing materials and no support at home make learning much harder. The Natubelenge Children's Library steps in exactly there: with one-to-one support, reading practice and a sheltered space where learning is a pleasure again.
The effect is tangible:
- more than 10,000 books read
- around 1,200 children a year
- 70 % of parents report better school results
Progress so far