FAVL Blogtag:www.favl.org,2009-07-22:/blog//12013-06-18T14:02:00ZMovable Type Pro 4.261Monthly Librarians Meeting in Sumbrungutag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21812013-06-18T13:43:14Z2013-06-18T14:02:00ZCletus writes: On June 15, the librarians and I had our usual monthly meeting at the Sumbrungu Women's Center. Here are the issues we discussed:Librarians' monthly reports. The librarians took turns on the floor to read their reports, and we...Krystle
Cletus writes:
On June 15, the librarians and I had our usual monthly meeting at the Sumbrungu Women's Center. Here are the issues we discussed:
Librarians' monthly reports. The librarians took turns on the floor to read their reports, and we corrected the errors together.
Libraries opening hours: Sumbrungu and Sherigu libraries will now open 10am-2pm (Monday-Thursday) for the day, and 7pm-10pm (Monday-Wednesday) for the night. Gowrie library opening will be 10am-5pm (Monday-Thursday) and Saturday from 8am-2pm, since there is no night session.
Library Activity Book: We also decided that every librarian must have an up to date library activity book or record for easy and simple compilation of monthly report. This will also help FAVL, in case a librarian resigns from his post, the new person will be able trace all the information in the activities book.
Absenteeism: We addressed the issue of librarians' absenteeism. I reminded each librarian must notify me, that he/she will not be in the library during library hour before leaving the library.
After-School Reading Program: We also talked about the ASRP. I emphasized that all librarians must take active role in the program. They should also keep weekly reports (attendance statistics, activities, challenges, etc.) about the whole program.
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Anecdotes from the JTL Programtag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21802013-06-18T13:31:36Z2013-06-18T14:10:00ZAs the JTL program progresses, Dounko and Alidou are collecting antecdotes from participants about the books, the program and its impact on their lives. Here are some short anecdotes from the village of Bouéré. (All of the students attend Bouéré...Krystle
As the JTL program progresses, Dounko and Alidou are collecting antecdotes from participants about the books, the program and its impact on their lives. Here are some short anecdotes from the village of Bouéré. (All of the students attend Bouéré Middle School.)
Je m'appelle SAMBA Maïmounata. Je suis élève en classe de sixième au CEG de Bouéré. Je suis très contente de participer au programme « Les Jeunes du Tuy Lisent » car c'est une occasion pour moi de renforcer mes connaissances. Mes parents m'encouragent beaucoup à continuer à lire. Les livres que j'ai déjà lus sont de mon niveau et je les comprends bien de même que je mène mes activités sans aucun problème.
Moi, je m'appelle Ouédraogo Nouriata. Je suis également élève au CEG de Bouéré. J'ai eu la chance d'être retenu pour le programme de recherche. J'ai déjà lu quelques livres qui sont de mon niveau, mais souvent il arrive que je ne fini pas le livre pour des raisons de travaux champêtres. Désormais, je ferai tout possible pour les finir pour apprendre beaucoup de choses.
Je suis Kientega Clémentine, élève au CEG de Bouéré en classe de quatrième. J'aime le programme JTL de même que mes parents parce qu'il permet de renforcer mes connaissances. Je fais la lecture chaque jour mais je rencontre des mots difficiles que je ne connais pas leurs sens. Les deux premiers livres que je viens de lire, je ne les ai pas terminé a cause des travaux.
Je suis Sodoré Dramane. Je fais la cinquième au CEG de Bouéré. Je suis content de lire les livres car ils m'aident d'acquérir de nouveaux mots en orthographe. Mes parents m'encouragent à les lire. Il arrive souvent que je lise le livre trois fois dans la semaine pour mieux le comprendre. Je comprends les mots. J'ai aussi du temps pour lire. Pour le moment, mon livre préféré est Le Secret de M. Clodomir car les deux amis après la découverte de leurs trésors sont restes inséparables.
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After-School Reading Program Reporttag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21792013-06-18T12:41:28Z2013-06-18T14:05:17ZCletus writes:On June 3, Cletus, the Ghanaian librarians and the adult counselors started the "After School Reading Program" in the 3 community libraries. The first week was used for the screening of all the 45 selected children in the communities,...Krystle
Cletus writes:
On June 3, Cletus, the Ghanaian librarians and the adult counselors started the "After School Reading Program" in the 3 community libraries. The first week was used for the screening of all the 45 selected children in the communities, which was done in the various libraries on different days. Each child was given a text, a list of words, a list of the alphabet and a list of numbers to read aloud, one after the other. A stopwatch was also used to time each child. We considered every child's ability to pronounce words, respect of punctuation marks and speed. In this test, we were able to classify the children into two categories that is Advanced and Low Readers. The first week was also for the general introduction of the whole program to kids, and the benefits they will achieve, if they participate actively in the program without absenteeism. There was also singing, dancing and games of "Jig-a-low" in Sumbrungu.
Problems encountered during screening Some the kids did not show up to take part in the screening process even though their parents signed the agreement that they will allow their kid to participate in the program. Some children came later saying this program is not like the summer camp so they are no longer interested. This delayed screening process in Sherigu and Sumbrungu. I had to go the schools to look for kids to replace all those who are not interested.
In conclusion, the whole program started very well, and I do hope that there will be great improvement in the subsequent ones.
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Chris Jowaisas: All the way from Burkina Faso to #nextlibrary2013 Donkoui w/ Friends of African Village Librariestag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21772013-06-17T22:52:20Z2013-06-17T22:54:08ZMichael Kevane
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Working with local government to manage community libraries in Burkina Fasotag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21762013-06-16T15:33:56Z2013-06-16T15:40:06ZMichael Kevane FAVL's experience in Burkina Faso working with local government is probably typical. In just ten years, we have seen the following:
1- We started initiating libraries in 2001, where there was no representative local government at the village level, so we helped form small "committees" even though we knew these would likely be very uninvolved (since they almost always are) despite our best efforts. We knew from the beginning that FAVL itself had to be involved long-term in providing the embedded ecosystem. It was not going to develop on its own. We mantra was: "We are not a ribbon-cutting NGO."
2- As we explored common ground with the government national library service, which was running about 20-30 libraries in larger towns, we realized they were completely dependent on outside donor funding from very big funders (OIF, Cooperation Francaise). Every staff person in the national library service, including the librarians (school teachers), was seconded from one of two ministries (Education and Culture). So they had no autonomy, and their career goals were in their Ministries, rather than in the library service. Once the project money ended, they returned to doing very little... sorry to be harsh, but that has been an assessment shared by practically everyone.
3- In 2006 the first elections were held for rural assemblies, and mayors were elected to represent groups of 20-30 villages. Now we had a proper governance partner. We initiated dialogue with mayors in 2009, held a workshop in 2010, and in 2011 started convincing mayors to sign conventions that recognized that the 13 libraries we have supported are public libraries that belong to the village collectivity, and so are under the authority of the local government. I think when we talk about sustainability, and think long-term, the wrong model is the think there will someday be a network of 500 independent community libraries that will operate each with their own governance structure and individual donors. Public libraries have to be networked into a common structure. And in most African countries, where there are so few libraries, it is probably better to be doing that earlier rather than later.
4- In the US this regularization of the relationship between public library and local government was achieved in the 1870-1900 period through the passage, at state level, of library enabling legislation. The Federal Government was not involved in public libraries until 1956 with the rural library services act.
5-Our experience in the first stages has been positive. Mayors and rural councils are receptive. But their capacity to effectively manage even very small public libraries is quite limited. See Krystle's post here for concrete example of difficulties. ]]>
Nabaloum Boureima... Burkina Faso BD-iste... I am looking forward to readingtag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21752013-06-16T15:17:30Z2013-06-17T23:29:53ZMichael Kevane
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Scenes from an After-School Reading Programtag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21742013-06-14T17:37:25Z2013-06-14T23:06:06ZKrystle
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Rapport de la Rencontre Mensuelle des bibliothécaires du Tuytag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21732013-06-14T17:18:38Z2013-06-14T17:29:54ZDounko writes: Le jeudi 13 juin a eu lieu à Houndé au siège de FAVL la rencontre des bibliothécaires en présence de l'Animateur-Bibliothécaire et le Coordonnateur Régional. Cette rencontre avait six points inscrits à son ordre du jour.Le premier point...Krystle
Dounko writes:
Le jeudi 13 juin a eu lieu à Houndé au siège de FAVL la rencontre des bibliothécaires en présence de l'Animateur-Bibliothécaire et le Coordonnateur Régional. Cette rencontre avait six points inscrits à son ordre du jour.
Le premier point a concerné le programme « Les Jeunes du Tuy Lisent. » A ce point il s'agissait d'abord des anecdotes. Nous avons noté l'insuffisance du temps pour la lecture ; la plainte d'un parent d'élève de Karaba du faite que ses enfants n'ont jamais bénéficié de l'avantage des projets de recherches de FAVL ; le regret de certains élèves de ne pas avoir s'inscrire pour le projet ; des livres très intéressants comme Les Frasques d'Ebinto et la BD de Boukary Koutou écrit par Mady Kafando qu'ils jugent très bon et aimeraient les finir ou même garder. Une du plateau central a trouvé que la BD de Kafando parle de leur village qu'elle a noté les dates et demandes si celles-ci sont identiques aux réalités.
Comme suggestions il a été recommandé les livres de niveau acceptable pour ceux du primaire qui ont un niveau faible pendant la remise, permettre a ceux qui finissent avant la date de remise de prendre d'autres livres en attendant le jour des échanges pour ne pas leurs couper le goût de la lecture.
Le deuxième point a porté sur les camps de lecture de l'année 2013. Les informations sur la repartions ont été données avec toutes les raisons possibles en lançant un appel à tous de faire un bon travail ce qui a permis à Koumbia de bénéficier du camp de la donatrice Hélène la France. Les non bénéficiaires comptent rencontrer les comités villageois de développement et ressortissants afin de voir comment organiser des camps dans leurs bibliothèques. Le coordonnateur et animateur feront le tour des mairies pour donner l'information et voir la réaction de ces maires.
Quant au troisième point qui est la rédaction d'un rapport d'activité de lecture, une séance pratique de lecture de livre pour enfants a été faite suivi d'un atelier en deux groupes, puis un plant de rédaction de rapport. Chaque bibliothécaire a pris note pour en faire de bon rapport les jours à venir.
Le quatrième point qui a concerné la suite des conventions, tous furent informés que les mairies ont signé ou vont signer après quelques modifications mais ont accepté de prendre en charge les bibliothèques. Il a été noté que les bibliothécaires doivent rendre compte immédiatement des difficultés qu'ils rencontreront durant la phase de transition. Chacun devrait réclamer un reçu de payement et noter la date de réception de son salaire.
Le cinquième point qui est la création de livres pour le centre multimédia. Chaque bibliothécaire devrait avoir un brouillon de son livre d'ici fin juin afin de commencer à faire les dessins, photos et autres avant l'installation du centre.
Le sixième point qui est celui des divers : le retard des rapports mensuels, la présentation du nouveau gérant, le voyage de Donkoui ont été signalés afin que chacun met du sérieux dans ses taches.
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Growing Pains in the Transfer of Librarians from FAVL to Municipal Employeestag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21722013-06-14T11:53:21Z2013-06-14T12:23:11ZWe've learned a lot at FAVL throughout the decentralization process in Burkina as we work with mayors and rural councils to make librarians municipal employees. It's a complicated process that often does not have precedents to follow. In most of...Krystle Recently, we received an email from Emilie Crofton (who, as our FAVL friends are aware, helped establish the library in Pobe-Mengao where she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years and still keeps in contact with those in her community, including the librarian), informing us that Hamidou hadn't received his salary in three months. Donkoui and I were a bit taken aback, as the mayor had signed the agreement and Donkoui had transferred six months' salary to the mayor's office in January. Hamidou never mentioned it to Donkoui in their phone conversations, so we weren't aware of the situation. We later found out that Hamidou had told Dounko about the situation, but in Dounko's eyes, Hamidou had confided in him as a friend and colleague and not his supervisor, so it wasn't his place to share the information with all of the FAVL coordination team. He told Hamidou to be patient, as the mayor had signed the agreement and the money was in their account. In June, however, he had still not been paid and he made Emilie aware of the situation, who informed Donkoui and me. Hamidou's back salary has now been paid, and we've spoken with the mayor about the situation.
Donkoui, Dounko and I have learned from this situation. It's important for us to keep up open and constant communication with both the librarians and mayors, especially regarding the payment of salaries. Even though Donkoui speaks to Hamidou often, he never specifically asked about his salary situation and thus assumed that everything was running smoothly. But since this is a new process for all of us (including the mayors), it's important not to assume anything. We also need to openly communicate with the mayor's to make sure that they are paying those salaries. Once the work of getting the mayor to sign the contract is done, it may seem like the work is done, but the other part of our job is to make sure that the agreement is being followed and the librarian is receiving his or her salary each month. It's also important to keep up open communication between everyone on the coordination team, and keep each other aware of certain issues, even if we think that we've received the information as a friend rather than a supervisor. We're going to work hard to make sure that this situation does not repeat itself in Pobe or any of the other libraries.]]>
David Pace featured on Lenscratch.... wonderful photos from Burkina Fasotag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21712013-06-13T21:48:31Z2013-06-13T21:51:16ZMichael Kevane
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FAVL Burkina Faso rep off to Next Libraries conference in Denmarktag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21702013-06-13T14:49:14Z2013-06-13T15:06:25ZMichael Kevane
Next Libraries conference in Denmark. We wish him well. He has a super poster designed by Krystle Nanema, our Burkina program manager, for presenting FAVL-Burkina's work. ]]>
Accès aux livres !!!tag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21692013-06-12T14:45:55Z2013-06-14T12:13:38ZCes jeunes inscrits au programme les jeunes du Tuy lisent m'ont laissé entendre que c'est leur première fois de lire un roman. Cependant ces jeunes sont en classe de 6eme, 5eme des collèges.C'est le premier livre qui a pour titre...Koura Donkoui C'est le premier livre qui a pour titre la Princesse Yennega. Ils sont très excités par la lecture. C'est donc une réelle promotion de la lecture pour ces jeunes de la zone de Ouakuy. Ils auront la chance de lire 15 romans pendant tout le long du programme. Quelle amorce d'ouverture d'esprit à travers la lecture pour ces jeunes.
Quelle disposition faut-il prendre pour résoudre cette question d'accès aux livres surtout les romans par les élèves? Acteurs de l'éducation, autorités nationales et locales, ONG, Associations, vous êtes interpelles par cette épineuse question.
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Les Jeunes du Tuy Lisent : jeux expérimentaux à Kieretag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21682013-06-12T14:42:39Z2013-06-14T12:16:06ZLe village de Kiéré a 20 km de Houndé a été retenu par notre programme de la promotion de la lecture. Je me suis rendu là-bas avec l'équipe de FAVL le 26 mai pour faire les jeux expérimentaux avec l'échantillon...Koura Donkoui Un autre jeune de l'échantillon venait de se marier la veille. C'est avec insistance qu'il est venu participer aux jeux expérimentaux et s'en est sorti avec une somme acceptable. Très content, il a dit à l'assistance qu'il a une double chance et il retournerait continuer sa fête de nouveau mari. Il est très disponible à continuer le programme !
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Top de départ : « Les Jeunes du Tuy Lisent »tag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21672013-06-12T14:04:36Z2013-06-14T23:05:32ZLe programme a démarré le 21 Mai avec les jeux expérimentaux qui consistent à tester la confiance, le risque, la patience des jeunes inscrits pour la promotion de la lecture. Ces jeux expérimentaux permettent aux jeunes de repartir avec un...Koura Donkoui Les jeunes ainsi sélectionnés se sont présentés a la salle du Bisongo de l'action sociale. Beaucoup de retardataires qui n'avaient pas pu s'inscrire au début se sont également présentés pour participer. Cela témoigne a tel point les jeunes s'intéressent au programme. L'un nous dit : « Moi aussi, je voudrais aussi lire pendant les vacances. »
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Lots happening in FAVL Burkinatag:www.favl.org,2013:/blog//1.21662013-06-10T10:16:20Z2013-06-10T11:39:04ZMichael Kevane
We are in full swing in our Jeunes du Tuy Lisent project, where 270 youth in Tuy are being delivered a novel each week. We're hoping in the coming weeks to start delivering SMS messages using FrontlineSMS, to encourage and pique more reading interest.
Two new libraries are making progress, Loumbila and Kiembara, They should be open before the new school year begins in October. Will be fantastic help for village kids who are struggling to compete against their increasingly better-prepared urban compatriots. The economy of Burkina Faso is increasingly becoming a knowledge economy and being literate (beyond just knowing the reading basics) is a great asset.
Two mayors and rural councils are signing conventions with FAVL for management of the libraries in their communes, Hounde and Bekuy. Since Burkina Faso decentralized in 2006, FAVL has encouraged the new local political institutions to play an important role in managing community/public libraries in villages in their communes.
We're planning 5-6 summer reading camps, thanks to generous donations that have come in over the past few months.
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