The pages of history come alive in the streets of Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the appearance of the Kitabus traveling library project. At a time when the digital world is taking up more and more space in our lives, this bold initiative aims to bring the charm of reading back to the very heart of neighborhoods, schools and homes.
The evocative name “Kitabus” subtly combines the Swahili word “Kitabu” meaning book, with the Anglicism “Bus”, symbolizing the means of transport of this traveling library. This union between the richness of local culture and the modernity of the concept transports not only books, but also an unforgettable experience directly to the inhabitants of the city of Bukavu.
The well-stocked shelves of the Kitabus are full of diverse literary treasures, ranging from novels to fables, mangas and school textbooks. Inside this knowledge bus or outside, installed in the courtyard of a school, students let themselves be carried away by different stories, thus nourishing their imagination and cultivating their thirst for knowledge.
In this dynamic city of more than three million inhabitants, where there are fewer than five public libraries, Kitabus fills a void in terms of access to reading. It responds to mobility issues, but also to the lack of attraction to reading, thus offering a concrete response to these educational challenges.
The reactions of the young beneficiaries are not long in coming. They express deep satisfaction at having access to such a diversity of books. One of them, Bizimana Johanna, confides: “At the moment, I am reading ‘L’Atelier de Roxanne’. I feel comfortable and happy to be here and to discover these books. It will help me to write, read correctly, consult and love books.
This project, supported by the ENABEL association, is of capital importance in the fight against poverty by promoting basic education, an essential prerequisite for building a generation capable of meeting the challenges of development.
For Patrick Zezé IRENGE, a committed teacher, fostering a love of reading in young people symbolizes fulfillment beyond traditional learning. He insists on the fact that access to reading not only helps develop vocabulary and oral expression, but also encourages the creativity and autonomy of young minds in the making.
Beyond the simple act of reading, this initiative has a positive impact on the school program. The director of the Le Progrès school complex testifies to the importance of this approach in engaging students outside of class hours, thus contributing to the strengthening of the Congolese education system.
The Kitabus mobile library in Bukavu is a pioneer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, paving the way for innovative ways to promote access to reading and culture. His passage marks a turning point in the lives of the inhabitants, offering a unique literary journey into the heart of the lively streets of Bukavu.