For young children, playing is an innate need like sleeping or eating, and it is just as essential for developing cognitive skills and social intelligence. There's no question that all children, wherever they are, will find a way to play. In equal measure, children are born eager to learn. Curious by nature, you can’t keep them from exploring their environment. Everything is a wonder and fun. During these years of wonder, books are best introduced to children as a fun adventure to different worlds. 

New research published in Reading and Writing reveals a powerful academic impact on students who read for leisure outside of a classroom setting compared to students who primarily read books to satisfy school assignments. The dichotomy between 'serious' and fun books is misleading because there's room for both if we intend to sustain voluntary reading through primary school, high school, and into adulthood.

 Reading for fun has been proven to grow a child's vocabulary, encourage self-awareness, expand imagination and creativity, and improve writing skills. A study on Brain Connectivity also found that reading fiction novels can improve brain connectivity and help brain functioning. 

DALA Library respects the important role our education system provides children in a classroom setting. We wish to provide children's wondrous minds with fun storybooks that nurture their innate creativity, curiosity, and imagination. 

DALA Library may not be a playground, but we value the Playwork principle on play - freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motivated. It is for this reason that DALA Library will ensure that a careful curation and selection of the books we receive is done.

 A research paper on developing literacy motivation states that allowing students to pursue their interests does more than provide a sense of autonomy and self-direction. A recent article on the book recommendation website Brightly shares this principle too, by stating, "when kids have access to libraries and the freedom to self-select books, they develop their identities as readers. It’s part of an education that allows them to learn how to think, not what to think."

Freedom of choice encourages children to read more by allowing them to follow their interests, and their curiosity is rewarded with improved fluency. 

DALA Library will give children the freedom to read any of the books provided.

UNESCO asserts, “Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. It is fully essential to social and human development in its ability to transform lives. For individuals, families, and societies alike, it is an instrument of empowerment to improve one’s health, one’s income, and one’s relationship with the world.”

Literacy is about mastering the basics – ABCs, letter sounds, word recognition - but it goes well beyond that. Literacy is also about fluency, comprehension and critical thinking. 

Kenya has one of the best education systems among low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, according to the Uwezo 2014 report, only 3 out of 10 children in Grade 3 can do Grade 2 work. On average, 1 out of 10 children in Kenyan primary schools are completing Grade 8 without having acquired the basic competencies of Grade 2. The survey measured the ability of children to read and comprehend English and Kiswahili, as well as complete basic numeracy tasks, all pegged at the Grade 2 level and thus provides rich insight into the learning outcomes of school-going children. 

A 2011 survey by UNICEF and the Kenya Bureau of Statistics in Nyanza province, western Kenya, found only four percent of children under the age of five live in households where at least three books are present. 

Kenya has extreme income inequality despite its steady economic growth, and 35.6% of the population lives below the poverty line. The poverty levels, the high pupil-to-teacher ratio and lack of quality resources put children in rural areas at a disadvantage. 

The Kenyan government, policymakers and other organizations are actively working to increase school performance and ensure that all children have the foundation they need to succeed in the classroom. 

DALA library joins this cause with a focus on promoting pre-literacy skills and the continued joy in reading for children aged between 1 year to 13 years in the rural villages of Kenya. We believe that a child who can read and write ultimately becomes a problem solver, an engaged citizen, and a life-long learner.

Our first library in Mua Hills, Machakos, successfully opened its doors on February 4th, 2023.

DALA Library will cater to children between the ages of 1 year and 13 years old from the village community.

An adult parent or guardian will register with the librarian by providing their telephone number and Identity card details so as to allow their child/children to access the available books. 

The goal is to have at least 500 storybooks in a library before lending them out. We plan to reach that goal and provide each child with their very own library card that will allow them to borrow a storybook.

Until then, any child who has been registered by a parent or guardian is welcome to enjoy any of the storybooks in the library space. 

DALA library will be open from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm.