The Dawoodi Bohra community of Mombasa recently restored and reopened the library at Mombasa Remand Prison as part of Project Rise, the community’s global philanthropic initiative focused on education and social development. The effort included refurbishing the space and donating more than 700 books to create an accessible reading environment for individuals housed at the facility. Two students from MSB Educational Institute joined the visit and reflected on what they learned from the experience.
Don’t take books for granted by Mustafa Abdeali
I grew up surrounded by books at home and in school. Walking into the remand facility made me realise how easily I treated that access as normal. For many here, this library is the first time they have stepped into a room filled with books.
I watched people pick up the books with interest. It reminded me of being a child and filling blank pages with scribbles, treating them as extensions of my imagination. The same curiosity I had growing up was present here despite the difference in our circumstances.
A small group performed to welcome us. Their band played in the courtyard. One young boy recited a poem he wrote the night before. His voice showed how strongly he valued literature and learning.
The visit showed me that a library is not a room filled with shelves but a space that allows people to connect with learning and possibility.
How I challenged my bias by Aliasger Husein
The idea of visiting a prison carried weight. I wondered what it meant to build a library in this space. It challenged assumptions I had never examined. I decided to treat the visit as an opportunity which called for an open mind and a willingness to learn.
The programme began with a representative speaking on behalf of the inmates. He invited a Maasai man to share his story. His movements and singing brought an energetic vibe to the room. I found his openness quite fascinating.
I understood the purpose of the new library. It signals change and gives people a chance to rebuild. I’ve always been taught that learning has the power to change how we see the world and even how we see ourselves. Watching the shelves fill made this clear. Knowledge reaches people wherever they are. For many of the inmates, this library might become the place where a new chapter begins.
It was also heartening to know that the library was not meant solely for the inmates, but also their families and other locals who previously had limited or no access to reading material.
The visit taught me to question my own assumptions. I walked in with doubt but walked out knowing that learning influences people far beyond classrooms.
Read more about the event in this media coverage.