Mahamba, a rural area in Southern Eswatini

In Mahamba, a rural area in southern Eswatini, there were no libraries in the schools and children had no access to books they could read for pleasure. The community in Mahamba has high unemployment and, for most families, buying food is more important than spending money on books.

A small library was first set up in one of the classrooms—and it was a huge success. Thanks to a generous donation from a family in Italy, a proper library has now been built in Mahamba by Mais Africa in memory of their son. He had volunteered at the Mahamba clinic and was tragically killed in a motorbike accident in Italy.

The new library is now used by all the primary and high school students in the area, who love reading the books. Jackie Stevenson from Mais Africa sent ABCA a thank-you letter and photos of the students enjoying the library.

June 2025