Madecha Education Association
MEA
In 2008, Richard and Elaine Mshomba brought together a group of seven capable and dedicated volunteers in Tanzania to work with them in planning and supervising the construction of a community library and managing the provision of library services.
Background
Construction began in 2008 and continued gradually as financial resources permitted. The Durning-O'Halloran Community Library began providing services in 2016.
The library is named after Richard's American parents, Joan and Charles Durning (left), who hosted him when he was a student at La Salle University, and Elaine's parents, Joan and Joseph O'Halloran (right). The Durnings and O'Hallorans provided a lot of the initial financial support and prayers for the project.
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In 2019, the library building was expanded and doubled in size thanks to the dedicated fundraising efforts of Matthew Hladczuk, then a high school student at La Salle College High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The expanded building was inaugurated on June 29, 2019 by Mr. Gabriel Daqarro, District Commissioner of Arusha.
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