What is the key to success? Maybe it is a positive outlook. Possibly hard work. Maybe luck. The top thing, though, that defines success is consistency – such as showing up every day with a smile on your face and a willingness to work and serve others.
That’s why it was such a grand celebration on the 28th of March when the Oasis Tadjourah celebrated 20 years in the community. Over the years there have been changes and growth. The centre had to close temporarily in 2020 during COVID and experienced a move in 2022. Yet consistently it has been a place of safety, learning and fun for the children in the community. It is also a place where adults can come and read. A place to relax in the afternoon and play games or with the kitchen; an English club on Saturday mornings; a movie theatre on Thursday nights; but always a place of smiles and laughter.
And the celebration displayed all this and more. With weeks of dedicated preparation, the bunting and grass carpet were laid out and everything was prepared by the evening of the 27th. Even hours before the event started, kids were lined up in the chairs in their best clothes to join in the fun.
And fun it was. A local singer performed live the covers of the most popular songs. Traditional dancers entertained the audience. The current director welcomed the crowd and handed the mike over for the various speeches. Two students, one in 9th grade and one in their last year of high school, gave testimonies to the influence of the library in their lives as they were growing up. A local teacher, who had come to the library years before, spoke of how it inspired him to love learning and have a desire to pass that love on to his students. A group of students in 8th grade performed a sketch and the English group performed a song. The workers at the library sang a song written in the local language specifically for the library.
To finish off the ceremonies, the centre’s director gave various important members of the community a tour of the centre. Pizza, cake and beverages were served to everyone. Finally, the musicians and dancers came out again for a final flourish, so the morning celebrations ended with a bang. It was a great day to celebrate the impact of the centre on the community and say thank you for these last 20 years. The workers are looking forward to the next celebration for 30 years!
Kerith Trust 