Two Nairobi Women Face Colonial Past

Mia Liko and Crystofer KingHow to build a library“It may be” how to play the system. ” The documentary“Central figures, Angela, Wanjiru” Sheru “Queenang, works to collect money, traditional library practices, and reshape to create an unhealthy space Africans Young and adults for growth, learning and communication. The noble with the pursuit of it, after five years by winning the politicians, may seem many values ​​that they hold at the beginning film It does not necessarily remain sound by its conclusion.

How to build a library in 2017. Shero and Shuka, a bilateral writer/publisher who cooperates to form the Bunk book, a “social influence company” based on the mission of stimulating the McMillan Library in the downtown of Kenya City, Nairobi, as well as the adjacent branches in Macadara and Kalleini. While the last two libraries are shown and their transformations throughout the movie, McMillan is still the main axis, both for its size and central location, but also because of the date it holds.

McMillan was built in 1931 by white settlers, not allowed to be used by Africans until 1958. The Nairobi Provincial Government may manage the large building with stones since then, but over time, let it fall down. While Shiro and Wachka tour at the beginning of the film, they notice the shelves of the books that hold tree, newspapers, chairs and offices that are everywhere, and no toilets, but more than anything else, which is a complete shortage of Kenyan culture and history. Instead, the traces of colonialism decorate each wall. Most of the books that line up on the shelves are white authors and many references to the African population.

The entire space is an ideal metaphor for forgotten interest in education, but also the empire’s suspension of generations. Given that you are black women in the literary world, Shero and Wachucka have a firm interest in changing this and converting McMilan to the place of the first presentation of African historical and cultural exchange, but with your entry into the courage to obtain signed contracts and obligations, the verb from building a library becomes more about making Others feel responsible.

“They do not look at the largest picture of the development of minds.” Through this knowledge, the bold young women realize that their strategy should revolve around making people in power believe that giving this library a new life was completely thought. In the Gala Events hosted in McMillan to raise money, they make sure they highlight individuals in the government, from a member of the Executive Council of Education to the governor of Nairobi himself, and they all enjoy clearly credit, but they are really in luxury parties and image opportunities.

What is impressive at the same time and installed is the quality of Shero and Wusoka in playing the game. Perhaps this comes only as a result of many of the delays created by lawyers and others for them or in a position in the situation, it is forced to confront, but with the progress of their journey and the fruits of their work begin to flourish, it is clear that this was impossible without their willingness and their ability to work within a system that suits Incredibly self. Often this work comes at the expense of their own health, and in the end their entire values, as the work they do to arouse the neighboring branches prove great success, it receives the attention of the British royal family. King Charles himself ends with a visit to a library during his visit to Kenya, and while many employees want to draw a line in the sand to stop this event, Shero and Shoka know this can threaten their final goals.

Despite the initial intention of their mission, the ongoing empire is not only for this institution, but individuals who are trying to take care of it prove the existence of a disturbing intersection. Even librarians who are supposed to work with Shiro and Wachuka to update how libraries will organize a group that cannot help them get binding on the Dewey decimal system, which gives priority to European perspectives on Africans. As much as their defense of this system seems to be struggling to adapt to a new system that may seem, it also talks about the objective nature of changing the movie as a whole aimed at capturing. By the time we see what Shero and Shuka managed to create – a home of African stories that Africans tell – it is difficult to feel anxious how more than that is just moving, she was able to happen at all. Children now do not see themselves reflected only in the place where they are learning, but adults are also given the opportunity to participate in their history and add to the Bunk Archives book that works to reshape it.

Regarding how to tell the story, Lekow and King work hard to survive as possible as they are still focusing on Shero and Wachka’s personal trips as well. Sometimes, the presentation reminds us Spike me Documentary films such as “When dams were shattered” and “NYC EPICENTERS 9/11 -> 2021 1/2,” Whether it is used to the degree of century that provokes the Tirins Blancard and how to put in preserved shots and pictures to expand what is being listed at the present time.

Ultimately, while Calleini and Makadara complete their construction, McMilan’s renovations are still incomplete from how to “build a library”, although the money was collected and the ruler agreed to the plans. Meanwhile, in 2024, the main protests in Kenya erupted due to high taxes and corruption. Ending the film in this way, without any other decision and conflict that may prevent Shero and Shuka from seeing their vision through, mixed with complex tones around Shero and Wichoka being part of the system protesting its cups, and tragicly viewed viewers in a mysterious area. This disturbs the general intention of the documentary.

Row: b-

“How to build a library” was shown in 2025 Sandans Film Festival. It is currently seeking to distribute us.

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