Community Listening Libraries Starter Kit Development

1. Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private not-for profit, non-denominational international development agencies, institutions and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource poor areas. Globally, AKF seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other resource-poor areas. In East Africa, AKF works with partners to improve the quality of life by promoting and developing innovative solutions to challenges of development in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Reflecting the complex and multi-faceted nature of development, AKF operates a multi-sectoral portfolio that includes programming in Education, Economic Inclusion, Civil Society, Health and Early Childhood Development.

2. Background

In 2020, AKF led a diverse consortium of partners to generate media content to elevate the importance of reading for enjoyment and learning through play. These included, but were not limited to, Night-Time Tales, Bena and Kena (both aired on NTV), and Playkits with videos and posters (See akflearninghub.org/). Based on the success and learning from these, AKF is looking to expand this partnership to increase the reach and impact of reading and play content across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2022, AKF will be developing and distributing “Community Listening Library Starter Kits” featuring storybooks, games, audio resources, and other related materials. Through this, AKF aims to: i) enable children to access locally developed content that elevates the idea of reading for enjoyment, engaging children’s imaginations and interests; ii) share games and playful activities to enable children to further their engagement with the content and the overall experience; iii) promote local stories, and iv) engage children and their parents to become active contributors through content creation opportunities.

3. Consultant Scope of Work

AKF is seeking to engage partner organisations and/or consultants to work as part of a diverse team of educational and creative specialists to develop the “Community Listening Library Starter Kits” content for use across diverse media including visual, audio, and written formats in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The scope of work includes:

i. Developing lists of vetted child-friendly low-cost playful materials to include in the Community Listening Library Starter Kits,

ii. Writing 10 pages of introductory guide content on using the Community Listening Libraries with suggestions for librarians, parents, and children on using the Starter Kit,

iii. Developing supplementary materials on using the Yoto Player as needed,

iv. Working with other partners to finalise the list of written and audio children’s storybooks in English and local languages that will be included,

v. Reviewing and selecting relevant playful learning activities based on the selected storybooks,

vi. Working with a translator to ensure all content is available in local languages,

vii. Working with the graphic designer to ensure that all content uses a coherent design,

viii. Adapting the final content for each Community Listening Library Starter Kit per country as needed, and

ix. Developing other creative content for the Starter Kits as needed.

4. Key Deliverables

At minimum, the deliverables include:

i. A comprehensive vetted list of child-friendly low-cost playful materials for the Community Listening Library Starter Kits

ii. A final Starter Kit Guide for use by librarians, parents, and children

iii. A list of playful learning activities

iv. 3 finalised lists of written and audio content and materials for Community Listening Library Starter Kits, adapted for each country

v. Recommendations for activities, games, and further content-development opportunities based on the content

vi. Other content and deliverables can be recommended by the applicant

5. Work Plan

The applicant can recommend different ways to ensure how the deliverables are achieved. However, the below timelines for are non-negotiable:

Date

Initial meeting on Starter Kit development process and development of a vetting strategy for materials

8th April 2022

Draft list of materials and written and audio content for Starter Kits

15th April 2022

Draft Starter Kit Guide with instructions and suggestions for use

22nd April 2022

Final Starter Kit Guide with instructions, suggestions, games, and activities

29th April 2022

Finalized lists of Starter Kit content per country

6th May 2022