Zanzibar, Tanzania — A new chapter in communitylearning and cultural exchange has begun in Kazole Village, where ParallelStudio and Lei Wa Lakom officially inaugurated the Lei Wa Lakom Library poweredby Zain. This marks the first in a series of knowledge-driven initiativesdesigned to bring education closer to communities across the region.
A Celebration of Learning and Community
The opening ceremony was a vibrant gathering of communitymembers, children, educators, architects, diplomats, and governmentrepresentatives. The morning unfolded with music, reflection, and sharedpurpose. Local schoolchildren and scouts filled the air with joyful singing,reminding everyone that the true measure of a library lies not in its shelves,but in the lives it touches and the futures it helps shape.
Senior officials, including H.E. Saleh Amed AL Hemeiri (Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Tanzania), H.E. Mboja Ramadhan Mshenga (Deputy Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries in Tanzania), and H.E.Salem Bin Mubrak Al Bourseadi (Counselor at the Consulate General of theSultanate of Oman in Zanzibar), addressed the audience. Their words highlightedthe intersection of education, sustainability, and long-term communitydevelopment.
Architecture Rooted in Culture
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of thelibrary’s architectural vision by Arch. Mai Al Busairi, founder of ParallelStudio. She explained how the design draws inspiration from Swahiliarchitecture, creating a space that is open, welcoming, and deeply connected tolocal culture. More than a place to house books, the library was envisioned asa hub for curiosity, dialogue, and shared experience.
Arch. Mai encouraged students to embracelearning and contribute value to their societies, reinforcing the idea thatarchitecture can be a catalyst for education and empowerment.
A Vision for Accessible Knowledge
On behalf of Lei Wa Lakom, founder Taiba Al Humaidhi sharedthe broader vision behind the initiative:
“This library represents our belief that knowledge should belived, shared, and accessible. It is not an endpoint, but a beginning — afoundation for many more projects that bring learning closer to communities.”
Partnerships That Make Change Possible
The library is the result of collaboration, trust, and localengagement. Lei Wa Lakom formally acknowledged Parallel Studio’s role inenabling community-centered educational spaces, building on the success ofMariam’s Library, the first initiative under the Parallel Gives program.
Special recognition was extended to KEO, Best Al Yousifi, Rafiki Elimu Society, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, and The Kanga Project for powering the initiative, alongside contributions from Bliss and Paper, Takween Bookstore, and Al Passion.
Looking Ahead
The Lei Wa Lakom Library now stands as a symbol of what ispossible when institutions, communities, and partners unite around a sharedpurpose. It is the first of many initiatives aimed at expanding access toknowledge, creativity, and opportunity across regions.
As the doors of the library open to the people of Kazole Village, they also open to a future where learning is not a privilege, but ashared right — a future built on curiosity, culture, and community.
