Lay-led Support Leads to Creation of a Children’s Library in Rural Tanzania

In Lendikinya, a village in Tanzania, From Hearts 2 Hands ministry, a nonprofit organization focused on helping children in Tanzania, is constructing a new children’s library. The project is successful in part through the help and funding from Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi).

The library will be a place that will offer literacy to a region where educational resources are scarce. “The Lendikinya Children’s Library will be a place for children and families who are eager to learn, explore, and grow. It will feature themed reading rooms, group study areas, a music room, an art space, and even a classroom for lectures. There will even be a computer zone for developing digital literacy and a section dedicated to community learning,” the ministry shared.

According to Briana Greene, founder and president of From Hearts 2 Hands ministry, the goal of the library is to foster literacy, critical thinking, and educational opportunities in an area where access to books and technology is limited. “The library will serve as a resource hub for both children and the wider community, promoting a culture of learning and growth,” she said.

ASi’s contributed US$7,500 to the project, which enabled the project to enter the construction phase. These funds were used to purchase essential building materials, such as bricks, cement, iron bars, gravel, and sand, and to cover the cost of transporting supplies to the remote site.

The construction began in early March, following full endorsement from local government officials. Government engineers will oversee construction and ensure it meets proper building codes.

The project’s total budget is US$80,000, and with US$40,000 already raised, the team is pressing toward raising the remaining funds. As the timeline moves forward, with doors, windows, and interior work slated for the coming months, ministry leaders are confident that the library will open by October. “If progress continues at the current pace, it may even be completed ahead of schedule,” they said.

From Hearts 2 Hands ministry and the people of Lendikinya are grateful for ASi’s partnership, which is helping build not only library walls, but futures filled with hope. “ASi’s generous support in making this library a reality,” Greene said. “ASi’s contribution is laying the foundation—both literally and figuratively—for a space that will serve generations of children and include books about Jesus and His love to further their relationships with Him as well.”

The original version of this story was posted on the ASi’s ministries news site.