Community STEM Library - Sustainable Actions Afrika

A Safe Space for Learning, Curiosity, and Hope

With a population of over 600,000 people, Bamenda a key city in Cameroon’s conflict-affected Anglophone region has no public library. Years of armed conflict and the ongoing Anglophone crisis have left thousands of children out of school and disconnected from consistent, quality education. In such a context, where schools are often closed and internet access is limited or unaffordable, books become a critical resource for survival, learning, and resilience.

The Power of a Single Book

We are inspired by the story of William Kamkwamba, a young boy from Malawi who after dropping out of school due to poverty, discovered a book in a local library titled “Using Energy.” With no access to electricity or formal training, he used this one book to build a windmill that brought power to his entire village. His story reminds us that access to the right book, at the right time, in the hands of the right learner, can change lives and communities.

Why Our Library Exists

In that same spirit, we created the Community STEM Library as part of our Pathfinders STEM Hub, to bring knowledge, opportunity, and creativity back into the hands of learners. It began humbly with just 12 books donated by our founder, an educator who believed that even a single book could unlock potential in a crisis-affected child. Today, with the support of EISERVI-Cameroon and Book Aid International the library has grown to house over 1,000 books, serving not only children but also teachers, parents, and displaced youth who come to read, revise, and reconnect with their dreams.

What Makes Our Library Special?

We provide curriculum-aligned books used in Cameroonian primary and secondary schools, helping students keep up even when schools are closed.

We stock STEM books on solar energy, electronics, environmental science, robotics, drone technology, coding, and engineering—topics rarely available in traditional libraries.

We include storybooks, encyclopedias, project guides, and age-appropriate science content to foster literacy and lifelong curiosity.

We offer a safe and welcoming space—especially important in a conflict zone—for learning, collaboration, and healing.

Current Challenges AND Our Next Steps

While our Community STEM Library continues to grow in impact, we face significant limitations:

Limited Book Supply: Our current collection, though growing, is still too small to meet the needs of our ever-increasing number of learners.
Lack of Space: We have very limited seating and reading areas, which prevents us from hosting more children and youth who want to read and learn in a safe environment.
Damage to Books Taken Home: Many learners borrow books to study at home, but due to unstable living conditions and lack of proper storage, books often return torn, worn, or missing pages.

Our Vision Forward

With the right support, we plan to:

Expand the library with more space, shelves, and dedicated reading corners for different age groups
Provide photocopies or printed learning packets of specific chapters or lessons, reducing wear on original books while still meeting learners’ needs
Establish a book protection and repair system, including book covers, file folders, and borrowing guidelines

Call to Action

Help us expand access to science, technology, engineering, and math by supporting our growing library. Whether you donate books, volunteer your time, or contribute resources, your action empowers the next generation of thinkers, makers, and leaders.

Donate. Volunteer. Share.
Be a part of the STEM education revolution today.