500 books, one for every child: "Jihadhari na Mbu!" arrives at Tumbi Primary School

Voice of Books does more than send books. We want children to hold books in their own language, listen to stories told in warm human voices, and find their own lives and culture in the pictures.

Beware of Mosquitoes!

Together with Books International, we created a Swahili picture book called Jihadhari na Mbu!, which means “Beware of Mosquitoes!” Through the story of Uma and the mosquitoes, it teaches children how to prevent malaria.

We brought 500 copies to Tumbi Primary School in Tanzania, one for every child. For many of them it was the first book they had ever owned. Again and again they asked:

“Can I really keep this book?”

Yes. They could.

What the books gave them

Through a playful story and colorful illustrations, the children gained practical knowledge, imagination, and the joy of owning a book.

More from Voice of Books

Voice of Books also runs For the Next, a platform where children can listen to books read aloud by young volunteers, and works with Tanzanian artists to turn their original artwork into picture books.

Read more about Voice of Books.