TIKA Supplements the Nairobi School Library with Books and Furniture

As part of its “Bridging Gaps in Educational Development Program", the TIKA Nairobi Program Coordination Office aims to provide quality education for everyone on a comprehensive and equitable basis. In this regard, the organization partnered with Knowledge Empowering Youth (KEY), a registered Canadian charity, to remodel and furnish the Nairobi School Library with over 2000 books and assorted furniture.

Nairobi School was founded during the British administration in the capital and ranked first in the nation's succession rankings, and is currently among one of the well-established educational institutions formerly known as "Prince of Wales". The school offers secondary school education to about 1,500 students, who are all boarders and has 70 teachers and 140 staff.

The project was implemented in conjunction with KEY Trust, which has extensive experience in establishing dozens of school libraries across Kenya. TIKA donated high-quality, up-to-date books across various subjects, including Turkish literature, history, architecture and Islamic science books. A brief ceremony to officially handover the books and furniture was held at the school grounds in the presence of the Turkish Amb. Ahmet Cemil MİROĞLU, and key dignitaries from the National and County Governments. Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Director of Basic Education, representative from the Ministry of Culture, KEY CEO Rita Field Marsham, and Nairobi School alumni were among the key guests in attendance at the event.

The Nairobi School Headmaster, Mr. Caspar Maina, expressed his thanks for the donation and alluded to the importance of a well-equipped  library for boarding schools. Beatrice EIachi congratulated TIKA, expressing that the library is a reference center to strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries. In the library, the works of Turkish authors, especially books in the fields of history and literature, were met with great interest by the students. Richard Mwangi, a Form 4 student expressed his desire to become an Architect in the future, and showed immense interest in Sinan's art and Selimiye book. Mwangi especially expressed the interesting details about Turkish architecture.

TIKA Coordinator, Emre Yuksek, during his speech highlighted the important role that libraries play in equipping students with lifelong learning skills and develop their imagination, enabling them to become and live as responsible citizens. He stated that the books which had been donated would help shape not only the students cognitive but also personal development.