There are places that seem to whisper, “Park your car and take a walk.” Sunzu Village is one of them. Located in Kinoni Sector, Burera District, this small village invites you to slow down and wander around.
When the village spoke to me, I listened. I parked and took a leisurely walk. Walking enabled me to observe and absorb more.
Imagine a village on a hill overlooking a stunning lake, with majestic volcanoes rising in the distance. The land is green and fertile, and life seems to unfold at its own pace.
It was a Saturday afternoon when I explored Sunzu on foot. One of the most memorable stops was Sunzu Yacu Community Library.
Outside the library, I rubbed shoulders with some young people hanging out on the premises. Some practiced dance moves, while someone played the guitar. Inside, readers occupied some of the tables, while others were glued to their computer screens, their fingers moving across the keyboards like pianists at work.
The library is part of a community center that is still taking shape. Construction of a multipurpose hall was underway when I visited. Who knows? By the time I return, there could be a basketball court.
For me, though, the books were the real attraction.
I looked through some of the titles on the shelves and felt like picking one, finding a quiet corner, and settling down to read. For a moment, I even wished I could borrow a few.
Sunzu Yacu offers young people more than a place to read. They can access computers and the internet, develop technology skills, use audio-visual facilities, practice their creative talents, or simply spend time with friends in a constructive environment.
When I return to Sunzu, I will donate some books from Afrika Nzuri Publishers, including a publication featuring Sunzu Village and Sunzu Yacu Community Library. I would love to see more books celebrating the beauty of Africa become part of the collection. It feels right that a story about the village should eventually find its way onto the shelves of its own library.
Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” I am glad I found the location of Sunzu Yacu Community Library.