ZANZIBAR, Tanzania: In a joyful celebration of learning, creativity, and community in Kazole Village, Parallel Studio & Lei Wa Lakom officially inaugurated the Lei Wa Lakom Library powered by Zain Telecom, marking the first in a series of knowledge-driven community initiatives envisioned by the organization.
The opening ceremony brought together community members, children, educators, architects, diplomats, and government representatives for a morning filled with music, reflection, and shared purpose. The event began with welcoming remarks, followed by vibrant singing performances by local schoolchildren and scouts — a reminder that the true measure of any library lies in the lives it touches and the futures it helps shape. The program featured addresses by senior officials, including H.E. Saleh Amed AL Hemeiri – Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the Deputy Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries in Tanzania H.E Mboja Ramadhan Mshenga and the Counselor at the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman in Zanzibar H.E. Salem Bin Mubrak Al Bourseadi, reflecting the strong intersection between education, sustainability, and long-term community development.
A key moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the library’s architectural vision by Arch. Mai Al Busairi, the founder of Parallel Studio, who shared how the space was intentionally designed to be open, welcoming, and deeply connected with the Swahili architectural language—not merely as a place to house books, but as a space that
encourages curiosity, dialogue, and shared experience. Arch. Mai also encouraged the students to learn and study, emphasizing the importance of contributing value to their societies. Guests were later invited on a guided tour of the library to engage directly with the design and its purpose. Addressing attendees on behalf of Lei Wa Lakom, founder Taiba Al Humaidhi highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative:
“This library represents our belief that knowledge should be lived, shared, and accessible. It is not an endpoint, but a beginning — a foundation for many more projects that bring learning closer to communities.” Community reflections further reinforced the collaborative spirit behind the project, underscoring that the library was shaped through partnership, trust, and local engagement.
Formal Acknowledgment
Lei Wa Lakom extends its sincere appreciation to Parallel Studio for its partnership and commitment to enabling community-centered educational spaces, building on Mariam’s Library the first initiative, and aligned with Parallel Studio’s broader vision through the Parallel Gives program to create a network of thoughtfully designed libraries and learning spaces across the region, beginning in Zanzibar, to promote education, cultural exchange, and connection through architecture. Special recognition is also extended to KEO, Best Al Yousifi, Rafiki Elimu Society, Park Hyatt Zanzibar & The Kanga Project for powering the project and supporting the shared vision of inclusive, future-focused development. We also extend our appreciation to Bliss and Paper, Takween Bookstore and Al Passion for their contribution to this project.
The Lei Wa Lakom by Parallel Studio Library, now stands as a symbol of what is possible when institutions, communities, and partners come together around a shared purpose — and as the first of many initiatives aimed at expanding access to knowledge, creativity, and opportunity across regions.