After three years of planning, fundraising, and international collaboration, the Rotary Club of Suna Migori, Kenya, has celebrated the opening of a public library at the Msomi buildings in Migori town, stocked with more than 40,000 donated books valued at 52 million Kenyan shillings! As Redondo Beach Rotarian Peter Lattey poignantly observed, “The people of Suna Migori did not know what a library was, because they had never seen one.”
That has now changed in a spectacular way! Peter, an architect and humanitarian who has worked alongside the Suna Migori Rotary team for 13 years, helped bring this ambitious project to life. Working with Rotary International, ten Rotary clubs primarily in the United States and Canada, and Books to the World, a Rotary organization based in Texas, the team secured the resources and books needed to turn a long-held dream into reality.
Imagine growing up in a community where there is no public library. Not simply a library with too few books, but no library at all.
As Redondo Beach Rotarian Peter Lattey poignantly observed, “The people of Suna Migori did not know what a library was, because they had never seen one.”
That has now changed in a spectacular way!
After three years of planning, fundraising, and international collaboration, the Rotary Club of Suna Migori, Kenya, has celebrated the opening of a public library at the Msomi buildings in Migori town, stocked with more than 40,000 donated books valued at 52 million Kenyan shillings!
Peter, an architect and humanitarian who has worked alongside the Suna Migori Rotary team for 13 years, helped bring this ambitious project to life. Working with Rotary International, ten Rotary clubs primarily in the United States and Canada, and Books to the World, a Rotary organization based in Texas, the team secured the resources and books needed to turn a long-held dream into reality.
The library's collection spans a remarkable range of subjects, including literature, culture, technology, innovation, life skills, and more, offering opportunities for learning and discovery to people of all ages.
At the opening celebration, Suna Migori Rotary President Charles Koyoo emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of reading, particularly among young people. Migori County officials also expressed their commitment to expanding access to public libraries throughout the county.
Perhaps the project's impact is best captured by Rhoda Achieng, an economics student at Rongo University, who described the new library as “heaven-sent,” providing students like herself with access to educational materials at a critical point in their academic journeys.
This achievement builds on years of Rotary collaboration in Migori County, where Peter and his fellow Rotarians have also championed clean water, sanitation, and educational opportunities.
Congratulations, Peter, and to all the Rotary partners who made this possible! Forty thousand books, countless stories, and opportunities for generations of readers. This is international Rotary collaboration at its finest and a magnificent example of Creating Lasting I.M.P.A.C.T.!