Social Justice Research Assessment
Part 1: EXPLAIN THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
For this Social Justice Project, I worked directly with local Bagamoyo residents and artists to establish a free library that would offer access to a collection of books and an archive at Bwagamoyo Africulture. I wanted to establish these spaces in the center of Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
My professional relationship with the organization as the company’s archivist made this project a possibility. Over the past 10 years that I have been affiliated with the community I have become familiar with the local community and some of the issues they face related to the economy and entrenched cultural practices. Reading for recreation or in public spaces are uncommon practices resulting in low literacy rates. In an interview with Curthbeth Ngwenuke, Bwagamoyo Africulture’s Director, he described quality of the education as poor and the expenses or “school fees” that make it difficult for children to continue to matriculate. A very low percentage of youth can attend college and even fewer graduate with degrees. Many young people are required to contribute financially to the household when they become a certain age (Ngwenuke).
Bwagamoyo Africulture’s leadership is about 10 adults between the ages of 22-38. While some of the students were able to earn arts-related degrees at TaSUBa, the local arts college. None of the members have been able to pursue advanced degrees, education, or training. I believe by establishing a place for resources starting with a collection of books and memory practices, we will be able to encourage and support the pursuit of dreams and ambitions.
Part 2: ASSESS/EVALUATE THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
Early in the project, we were able to identify a space to house the books. We selected a space in the Africulture Office because it is the most secure location. We then had to build bookshelves to keep the books. I donated money to purchase the wood, pay the builder, and build the bookshelves. Next, I purchased books from the Dar Es Salaam Bookstore and donated them to the facility. The organization director created a spreadsheet of the books so we can keep track of who is borrowing them. Other members of the organizations started to also donate books.
Since the library is located in a low-income area, one of the challenges is sustainability. How to keep Africulture afloat so that the library can continue to offer books and resources to the community? One way to protect the program is to partner with other local organizations to create more investments in the project. Therefore, we decided to partner with Vitabooks, the local library, TaSUBA, and SLADS. While we have been able to connect with many of the organizations, we have not been able to make contact with SLADS.
One of the challenges is finding books about art in Tanzania. I've searched bookstores and most of the books are about politics, history, and community building. Also, there are not alot of books in Swahili. I think this may be another reason literacy is low in the community. Even though English is taught in schools, Swahili is the first language.
I think this was a great project for this class, because it allowed me to document this project and figure out my next steps.
Part 3: DISCUSS THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION
Some of the themes that emerged over the course of the semester in the class was related to identity, religion, gender, education, access, preservation, literacy, political science etc. It is interesting to see how these identities rely on the social and cultural context. I was particularly interested in the Women's and Gender Studies area. According to the Borgen project, it is reported that "Adolescent girls in Tanzania are least likely to receive a secondary education. Research estimates that two out of every five girls in Tanzania marry before the age of 18. Within the population of married, secondary-school age girls, 97 percent are not in school due to marriage or pregnancy. Government policies also discriminate against pregnant and married girls by authorizing schools to expel them." (Borgen)
My class presentation encouraged me to look at religion in the context of my research. Bagamoyo is divided by Christianity and Islam. Even though these can be opposing forces, I haven't witnessed any tension related to religious practice or spirituality in the area. The culture is more reserved and attribute that to religion in the area. One way you can still see the influence of the religion is in the dress culture. Most women still wear dresses and skirts.
Part 4: THE “SO WHAT” OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
1. Strategic Action Plan
Initially, my plan was to establish a free library and archive in Bagamoyo, Tanzania in order to make reading materials and educational resources to the local community. Since learning about the unique challenges, the community faces due to historical factors, sociological issues, and economic inequities, I have slightly adjusted my approach and specific people I will partner with to implement the plan. While the mission has not changed, I do think it is important to involve more girls and women in the project. Bwagamoyo Africulture is dominated by men in leadership positions. In order to affect change, I will have to intentional pull women into the conversation and to the table.
I look forward to partnering with the School of Library, Archives, and Documentation Services (SLADS). I was surprised to learn about this educational facility in the area and believe they can be a great resource for the project. I am also interested in how students are studying library science and how they are practicing memory work in the community.
2. Projections
I have identified 4 existing organizations that have intersecting goals but have been working towards them separately. Bwagamoyo Africulture is an arts center who is committed to preserving the history and culture of Tanzania, Vitabooks is a local bookstore run by Vitali Maembe, a local musician and activist. Maktaba, the regional library is in the center of the village, but is not used by the local community due to user fees. TaSUBA is a famous art school in Tanzania. This school attracts aspiring artists from all over the world. I would suggest that these organizations continue to work together and see how they can support each other's work.
I plan to visit Bagamoyo, Tanzania this summer and plan to work to establish connections with the organizations I have not been able to make contact with. The exciting part of the project is that the members are motivated and are enjoying working with the project. However, the project is heavy, a little bulky, and not positioned in a very sustainable way. The project heavily relies on my efforts and I am working remotely most of the time. I believe I will have to eventually find funding to continue to support the project.
Figure 1. Screenshot of catalogue of books collected and donated for the library
References
Maembe, Vitali. Personal Interview. 3 November 2023.
Matovelo, Doris & Lwehabura, Mugyabuso. (2005). User fees in public libraries: perspectives, opportunities and challenges in Tanzania\'s libraries. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal. 6. 10.4314/udslj.v6i2.26621.
Ngwenuke, Curthbeth. Personal Interview. 10 October 2023
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