Create a library for young people in The Gambia

Help maintain The Orange Library! Donate and spread the word!

UPDATE:

What a journey we have had!!

From organising multiple fundraising events in the fall of 2023 to arriving in The Gambia, to finding a team of young adults for consultation, to scouting the perfect place for books to rest and young adults to read or ignore them, to repainting the place, turning a bathroom into an office, cutting glass for windows, figuring out the perfect lighting situation, building bookshelves from scratch, categorising books, engaging young adults with candy first and then books—the library has come a long way. The very minute we opened our doors, excited young people gathered to turn pages, get familiar with the library, and get an Orange Library card. As you might have seen on our social media, we are now up and running, and to think, from fundraising, collecting books, and dreaming to actually having an actual library feels like a dream—a really good one. Onwards to our second year!!

1: About the library

2: Why the library

3: Timeline

4: Location

5: Budget

6: Why you should support the library

About the library: The Orange Library is a safe space for teenagers and young adults to find themselves and each other. The Orange Library is an inclusive space with literature and language that respects, cares for and tells stories that reflect back to these young people. We know that education and learning is important for growth and self-awareness. We also know that community is just as vital, building a safe and caring community helps us and those around us grow and learn to accept each other for who we are.

Why a library for young adults: Imagine stepping into a place where every page turned is an affirmation of your existence. Just like the perfect orange, when you slice it open and you know it will be good, that is how it should be to open a book, the words flowing like orange juice, the pages turning making you curious about the final taste. Teenagers and young adults deserve a place that gives them the power to do language, to paraphrase Toni Morrison.

Timeline: At the end of November 2023, I will be relocating to The Gambia and staying there for two to three years to work with the project. Hopefully, after a couple of years, The Orange Library will have become a community effort.

Location

Located in the heart of Bijilo, The Orange Library is situated right where it needs to be—close to the community it serves. It’s a place where young people can come before or after classes, where they can find a quiet corner to read or join in lively discussions about the books they love, the music they dance to, and which African country actually makes the best jollof rice.

Budget:

This campaign focuses on critical needs to keep The Orange Library open for the next three years: securing the rent for three years, funding salaries for a librarians, gas and electricity bills, learning materials, etc.

Why you should support the library:

Supporting The Orange Library means contributing to a community effort that enriches the lives of young people in Bijilo and, by extension, the lives of young people everywhere. This library is for everyone who steps through its doors and all the new connections that The Orange Library cardholders will make through international collaborations. By donating, you’re helping to keep this space open and thriving, so that more stories can be told, more friendships can be made across borders, and more young people everywhere can find each other and themselves.

Thank you for caring,

/Ben

PS: Stay connected and witness the results of your support! Follow The Orange Library's journey and get updates on the progress, community activities, and the positive changes your contribution is bringing to life. Follow us on Instagram The Orange Library and be a part of this remarkable story.