Watch Caravan of the Books: Kenya's Mobile Camel Library

Caravan of the Books: Kenya's Mobile Camel Library is a documentary about an innovative approach to bringing books and education to remote areas in Kenya. Directed by Janina Pigaht and produced by Tone Lunde Bakker, the film follows the journey of a group of librarians who travel on camels to bring books to communities that are not accessible by road.

The documentary starts by introducing the audience to the Samburu people, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the remote and arid region of northern Kenya. The Samburu have limited access to education and books due to the lack of infrastructure in the area, and this has resulted in high illiteracy rates among the community. The documentary then shows how a group of volunteers formed the Camel Mobile Library, a project aimed at promoting literacy and education among the Samburu people.

The library consists of a group of volunteers who travel long distances on camels with boxes of books strapped onto them. The library has a diverse collection of books, from children’s picture books to adult fiction and non-fiction. The library volunteers visit remote villages and set up temporary libraries, where community members can borrow books and read them at their leisure. The library also conducts reading sessions for children and adults, promoting the importance of education and reading.

The film follows the library volunteers as they trek through the arid and remote terrain, facing challenges such as swollen rivers and impassable mountain passes. The volunteers are shown interacting with the Samburu people, discussing the importance of education and reading, and encouraging them to visit the libraries.

The documentary also features interviews with community members, who speak about the impact of the library on their lives. One community member describes how prior to the library’s establishment, children had to travel many miles to access books, which was not feasible for many families. The Camel Mobile Library has made it much easier for children to access books, and has thus increased the literacy rates among children in the area.

The film also highlights the challenges faced by the library in terms of funding and support. The Camel Mobile Library operates solely on donations and has limited resources, which means that the library volunteers often have to resort to using their own funds to keep the project going. The documentary raises awareness about this issue and encourages viewers to support the project through donations.

Overall, Caravan of the Books: Kenya's Mobile Camel Library is a heartwarming and inspiring documentary about the power of education and the impact of community-based initiatives. The film highlights the importance of literacy in remote and marginalized communities, and the innovative ways in which people can come together to address these issues. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in education, literacy and social entrepreneurship.

Caravan of the Books: Kenya's Mobile Camel Library is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 50 minutes.