A crowdfunding campaign by Somerville students to raise £9,000 to ensure the survival of Molly’s Library in Ghana has reached £7,055 six days before the campaign closure date of 8 June.
Children at Molly’s Library, Ghana
The campaign, which is overseen by Angelica Lindsey-Clark, JCR Charities Officer, is hosted on Somerville’s crowdfunding platform, and has already attracted 78 sponsors.
“I’m very proud to be part of a college which has been supporting this amazing project for such a long period of time,” said Angelica. “The community sees it as incredibly resource and now we have the opportunity to turn it into a permanent resource which could benefit many generations.”
Molly’s Library was founded in Cape Coast in Ghana in 2003 by Somerville students Hattie Begg, Maeve Gill, Stephanie Ashmore, Liz Hollington and Alex Finlayson. It attracts all ages and more than 300 people use its facilities every week. The next nearest library is a 12-kilometre walk away.
Somerville students from the College have been providing support to the library ever since its founding, and Somerville students have travelled to Ghana each summer to provide practical assistance.
Recently, however, the landlord who owns the site of the library announced his intention to sell the building, with the result that the books were moved to temporary, cramped accommodation in April. It was this news that persuaded the JCR to launch a crowdfunding campaign to secure a lasting future for the library. The JCR therefore committed £3,000 of matched funding to the campaign.
“We are fortunate enough to be at one of the top universities in the world with access to some of the best libraries,” said Angelica. “It’s lovely to see that so many students want to provide educational opportunities to others and to give something to a community less fortunate than ours.”
To make a contribution to help ensure the future of Molly’s Library, please visit the crowdfunding campaign.