Scaling Global Change

6Administration, Finance, and International Operations: Strengthening Operations and the Implementation Chain

A Tale of Two Libraries

We decided to make one last stop on the long ride back to the hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, after a great day of visiting schools. The schools we visited in the morning had been waiting for us. They knew we were coming and were prepared to show us why they appreciated Room to Read support. Despite its being late in the school year in September 2014, when students were busy preparing for exams, students and community members still took the time to welcome foreign visitors. Children waited outside to greet us. School administrators were dressed in their nicest clothes. Even parent representatives from the school management committee were at the school to answer questions, express appreciation, and gently request additional support. Often district education officials are on hand to show they are actively engaged.

We always ask schools not to go out of their way. We know that everyone is busy with many more important things to do than greet international Room to Read staff. Yet the red carpet is rolled out (figuratively most of the time but literally in some instances, too), and so we often go through this ritual. In contrast, unannounced school visits give us a chance to see what really goes on in a school. There is no time for libraries to be set up or for children to practice responses.

It was easy to make unannounced school visits that day ...