MANTRA CONTINUES TO DONATE E-LIBRARIES IN NAMTUMBO SCHOOLS This month Mantra Tanzania will donate the 4th electronic library in Namtumbo. The e-library donation to Pamoja Hign school of Namtumbo is an important milestone in the use of technology in learning in the district. Mantra Tanzania Limited is a uranium exploration company working in Namtumbo District of Ruvuma region. As part of its CSR programme, Mantra has partnered with an NGO Read International to transform unused rooms in Namtumbo secondary schools into well-stocked libraries. The libraries are provided with the essentials: basic training on library management, shelves, tables, seats and books. Since 2019 we have gone a step further by donating electronic libraries to 4 secondary schools. At Pamoja High School, three computers have been installed and connected to the Internet in the premises. A special program with library functionality and an interface was developed and installed, electronic books and tutorials were uploaded to school web portals. Books, are both scanned copies of printed books and stand-alone digital documents. In content, these are study guides and fiction in English and Swahili. Using the resources of the electronic library, students will be able to read and watch materials on school subjects, teachers will be able to download and share information and plans for preparing lessons. Computers in Pamoja are connected to the electronic libraries of other schools, so students and teachers have the opportunity to participate in online conferences and, finally, just chat. The total cost of the project amounted to Shs 25 million. In addition to the costs of the electronic library itself, this amount also included the purchase of print media to supplement the library stock, shelves, tables, chairs and training for teachers and students on library management. By creating a functional and inspirational learning environment schools are provided with the tools for effective learning and promoting a culture of reading. In getting access to a library students read more, learn more and get further in their studies. The initiative has paved the way for students and teachers to have access to educational resources necessary for the development of a reading culture. Alongside the creation of new libraries Mantra in collaboration with Read International monitors and evaluates the use and effectiveness of existing refurbished libraries. Project history The Mantra library project began back in 2014. Read International, a non-governmental organization, had asked the company to sponsor the creation of libraries in Tanzania in order to overcome the barrier of illiteracy. For its part, Mantra itself was looking for educational projects that could be supported in the region of its presence. The reconstruction program of the library fits perfectly with the concept of social responsibility of the company therefore Read International and Mantra entered into agreement to refurbish secondary school libraries in Namtumbo. A project that has created five neat well-functioning libraries in the district. Achievements Created 7 libraries in Namtumbo, serving over 4,000 students Delivered over 11,000 books to 7 secondary schools Donated 16 computers to four secondary schools thus creating the first e-libraries in Namtumbo Our donation trained teachers and students on literacy activities, computer literacy, library management and reading promotion Impact Independent and confident readers An energized culture of reading within the school community Schools that run efficient and friendly libraries Enhanced learning through use of technology About MANTRA and ROSATOM Mantra Tanzania owns the Mkuju River Project in Namtumbo District of Ruvuma region in southern Tanzania. Mantra is owned by ROSATOM – the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is the only company in the world that has the resources and competencies to offer energy solutions across the nuclear supply chain, including assets in design, construction and operation of nuclear power stations, uranium mining, conversion and enrichment, supply of nuclear fuel, decommissioning, spent fuel storage and transportation, and safe nuclear waste disposal. Rosatom is also engaged in the production of equipment and isotope products for the needs of nuclear medicine, scientific research, and materials science, the production of digital and various innovative products. The company’s strategy is to develop low-carbon power generation projects, including in the wind generation field. Today, Rosatom brings together over 300 enterprises and organizations and over 250,000 employees.