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Rwanda's First Public Library

In 1994, Rwanda experienced a genocide in which approximately one million Rwandans were killed. Through the establishment of the Kigali Public Library, Rwanda's first public library, it is our hope that the tools used for destruction will be replaced with tools of knowledge. Successful completion of this monumental effort will mark a watershed in Rwanda's history, finally providing unfettered access to a treasure trove of knowledge that has so far been unavailable to a population of over eight million people. The library - a sanctuary for knowledge and a forum for the free exchange of ideas - will also be a monument to serve as a permanent reminder to all Rwandans and the rest of the world that the atrocities committed in 1994 will never be forgotten.

Partner Organizations
The Kigali Public Library was initiated in 2000 by the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, Rwanda. Soon thereafter, it gained the ardent support of two non-profit organizations: the American Friends of the Kigali Public Library (AFKPL), which was established in Washington, DC, in 2001, and Marshall Scholars for the Kigali Public Library (MSKPL), which was established in Oxford, England, in 2002.

Library Design and Location
The effort to build the Kigali Public Library has received strong support from both the Rwandan community-including Rwandan President Paul Kagame-and from the international community. The Government of Rwanda donated a plot of land within easy walking distance or a short taxi ride for the majority of the population of Kigali, Rwanda's capital. The library will be a modern structure reflecting the elegance of Rwandan art and culture and will be a landmark for years to come. The flexibility of the design will enable the library to expand as more funds become available. Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza placed the cornerstone of the library on May 11, 2001, and construction began in October 2001. We plan to open Rwanda's first public library in 2008.

Fundraising
The Rotary Club, AFKPL, and MSKPL are in the midst of a US$2.1 million fundraising campaign to build, equip, staff, and sustain the Kigali Public Library. By 2008, the Kigali Public Library campaign received donations and pledges of approximately US$2 million from individuals, businesses and corporations, foundations, governments, and intergovernmental organizations. For a list of major donors, click here.

The library will open in the near future, but an additional $500,000 will be necessary to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Volunteers
The Kigali Public Library project welcomes volunteers, whether from students, professional fundraisers, librarians, or anyone else who would be interested in helping to build Rwanda's first public Library. For more information on volunteering for the Kigali Public Library project, click here.