How I wrote a children's book in Swahili

We have worked with the local Arusha tennis community for the past year. The coaches are great and with minimal support they are offering a wide range of very high quality youth tennis programs. Recently, a small group of Los Angeles based tennis players donated over 30 tennis rackets, hundreds of grips, 5 reels of strings, hundreds of tennis balls and a few pairs of shoes. It is exciting to see how well this equipment is being used by the coaches and passionate athletes. The students participating in the program range from highly experienced to beginners playing tennis for the first time. Photos and videos can be seen at the instagram account tennis4life_tz

Given how successful our tennis partnership has been, we wondered if the coaches would be interested in trying Pickleball. Last week Maktaba.org (in partnership with Elimu Yetu) helped build 3 custom Pickleball nets (and we are painting lines). Additionally, we have 12 paddles and a bag full of pickleballs...and we are...

You may have noticed some changes to our homepage.

We added a sections for groups within our site. We have popular books, and MOST IMPORTANTLY...it should load faster.

Please let us know your thoughts.

Are there other pages that you think we should improve? We would love your feedback!

Celebrate World Swahili Day by voting in our Proverb Essay Contest and learning Swahili!
➡️ Read the Essays here ⬅️

Click ❤️ to Cast your Vote  

We are so excited about the amazing essays we've gotten from you all in English and Swahili!  To all the participants, we say THANK YOU and congratulations on your great work! 
Read the essays and vote for your favorites now - the 3 essays with the most ❤️s will receive cash prizes!

We've published all the essays submitted so far here : www.maktaba.org/contest/essay
Share this link with your friends. Anyone can create a free account in seconds and cast their vote by clicking ❤️. You can vote for as many essays as you like!

To enable both Swahili and English speakers to participate, I've added a comment to each essay with a rough translation. Click on an essay from this page and scroll down to see the translation. (You must be logged in to see comments)

Today is the deadline to send your submission for our Proverb Essay Contest!...

Heri ya sikukuu ya Saba Saba! Sherehekea kwa kupiga kura katika shindano la insha ya methali
➡️ Soma insha zote hapa ⬅️

Bongeza ❤️ ili kupiga kura  

Tumefurahi sana sana kusoma insha zote tulizopokea kutoka kwenu. Kwa wote walioshiriki tunasema Asanteni na hongereni kwa kazi nzuri!
Zisome na upige kura kwa insha zozote unazozipenda. Insha tatu zitakazopata ❤️ nyingi zaidi kabla ya tarehe 15/7/23 zitapokea zawadi za pesa!

Insha zote zilizowasilishwa zinaonekana sasa hapa: www.maktaba.org/shindano/insha
Karibuni mshirki link hii (kiungo) na marafiki zako na wengine. Mtu yeyote anaweza kufungua akaunti haraka bila malipo ili aweze kupiga kura kwa kubongeza ❤️. Unaweza kupigia kura kwa insha zozote unazozipenda!

Leo ndio tarehe ya mwisho ya kuwasilisha insha yako kwa Shindano la Insha ya Methali! Tafadhali wasilisha insha yako juu ya methali yoyote kwa tuzo@maktaba.org leo! (Kiingereza au Kiswahili).
Jifunze Kiswahili leo Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani (Rasilimali bila malipo)

• ➜ ...

We need your help!

Do you love writing? Enjoying our Proverb of the Day?
Maktaba.org is celebrating International Swahili Day 2023 with an Essay Writing Contest!
Submit your essay about a proverb before 7/7/23

Submit your essay about any proverb here or email it to us at tuzo@maktaba.org
today for a chance to win Cash Prizes!
1. First place ➜ 50,000/= TSh or $20 USD
2. Second place ➜ 25,000/= TSh or $10 USD
3. Third place ➜ 12,500/= TSh or $5 USD

Contest Rules

[Soma kwa Kiswahili]
The winners will be chosen by maktaba.org users! The three essays that get the most likes ❤️ by July 15 will win. Anyone can cast a vote by logging into their Maktaba.org account and liking your post. (If you haven't opened your account, join today, it's free!) 

Step 1: Choose a proverb. The proverb can be in any language, but it should be a real proverb that many people know, not one that you made up. If you can’t think of one, check out our books of proverbs here!

Step 2: Compose a short essay...

Today we are very happy to announce the winners of Maktaba.org's first Proverb Essay Contest! Most importantly, we want to express our sincere thanks to all who participated in this competition. You have taught us a lot, thank you! 
➡️ All essays ⬅️

🏆 Announcement of the Winners

And now, without further ado, let's congratulate the winners of the first Proverb Essay Contest...

🥇 First place winner:
“Nankya Sauda 🇺🇬 Uganda
 for her essay on the proverb
➜“Still waters run deep””

🥈 Second place winner:
“Rose Mwanri 🇹🇿 Tanzania
for her essay on the proverb
➜“Akiba haiozi” (Savings doesn't rot)”

🥉 Third place winner:
“Magreth Lazaro Mafie 🇹🇿 Tanzania
for her essay on the proverb
➜“Mchumia juani hulia kivulini” (He who toils in sun eats in the shade)”

Congratulations to everyone who participated!

   The three winners have already received their prizes, and all writers were given certificates of recognition for their contributions. (If you have not received your certificate...

Leo tuna furaha kubwa kutangaza washindi wa Shindano la kwanza la Insha za Methali la Maktaba.org. Kwanza kabisa tunataka kutoa shukrani zetu za dhati kwa wote walioshikiri katika shindano hili. Mmetufundisha vingi, asanteni!
➡️ Insha zote ⬅️

🏆 Tangazo la Washindi

Sasa bila kupoteza muda, tuwapongeze Washindi wa Shindano la kwanza la Insha ya Methali:

🥇 Mshindi wa nafasi ya kwanza:
“Nankya Sauda 🇺🇬 Uganda
kwa insha yake juu ya methali
➜“Still waters run deep””

🥈 Mshindi wa nafasi ya pili:
“Rose Mwanri 🇹🇿 Tanzania
kwa insha yake juu ya methali
➜“Akiba haiozi””

🥉 Mshindi wa nafasi ya tatu:
“Magreth Lazaro Mafie 🇹🇿 Tanzania
kwa insha yake juu ya methali
➜“Mchumia juani hulia kivulini””

Pongezi kwa wote walioshiriki!

   Washindi hawa watatu wameshapokea zawadi zao, na wandishi wote walipewa vyeti vya kutambua michango yao. (Kama haujapokea cheti chako, tafadhali wasiliana nasi.)
   Shindano hili lilifanyika kwajili ya Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani (Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Saba...

Tunaomba msaada wako! 

Je unapenda kuandika? Unapenda Methali ya Siku? Maktaba.org tunasherehekea Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani kwa Shindano la Uandishaji wa Insha!

Wasilisha Insha ya Methali kabla ya 7/7

Wasilisha insha yako juu ya methali yoyote hapa au kwa baruapepe tuzo@maktaba.org leo ujipatie nafasi ya kushinda zawadi ya pesa!
1. Mshindi wa kwanza ➜ 50,000/= TSh
2. Mshindi wa pili ➜ 25,000/= TSh
3. Mshindi wa pili ➜ 12,500/= TShl

Vigezo & Masharti ya Shindano

[Read in English]
Washindi watachaguliwa na watumiaji wa Maktaba.org! Insha tatu zitakayopata "likes" ❤️ nyingi zaidi kabla ya trh 15 July watashinda. Mtu yeyeote anaweza kupiga kura akiingia akaunti ya yake ya Maktaba.org (Kama haujafunguliwa akaunti yako, jiunge leo, bila malipo yoyote!) 
Hatua ya 1: Chagua methali. Methali inaweza kuwa kwa lugha yoyote, lakini sharti iwe methali inayojulikana na watu, yaani usitunge mwenyewe. Unaweza kutafuta katika vitabu vyetu vya methali hapa!
Hatua ya 2: Tunga insha inayoeleza...

Vitabu vya Dini
Vitabu juu ya Ukristo
Vitabu juu ya Uislamu

Kwa watu wengi, kitabu wanachokipenda zaidi ni kitabu takatifu, kama Biblia au Korani. Kwa nini tunapenda kusoma vitabu hivi kuliko vitabu vingine? 
• - Vitabu Takatifu vinahusiana na mambo muhimu ya maisha.
• - Vitabu Takatifu vinatupa busara na fadhili kama ujasiri, unyenyekevu, na imani.
• - Vitabu Takatifu vina hadithi za kusisimua kuhusu manabii na mashujaa. 

Mimi nimesoma vitabu vingi takatifu kutoka dini tofauti kama vile Korani, Biblia, na vitabu takatifu vya Wahindi na Wachina. Nimetambua vina kanuni na hadithi zilezile; ni majina tu hubadilika.
Vitabu vya shule vina maswali mengi, na majibu sahihi yapo katika sehemu ya mwisho, au katika Kitabu cha Mwalimu. Ila kwa vitabu takatifu, hakuna majibu ya hakika. Wasomi na walimu wa dini bado hawakubaliani kabisa maana ya kitabu. Wanatumia elimu walionayo kujadili na wanahojiana juu ya aya muhimu. 
Kama unaamini kitabu fulani kilitoka Mungu, usimwamini mtu yeyote...

1. Deliver free books in Swahili and English to communities all over the world
2. Empower educational communities in East Africa
3. Connect mentors with students around the world

Continuously improve our website: Regularly evaluate and improve our website to provide a better user experience and increase user engagement.

Optimize for search engines: Ensure that our website is search engine optimized (SEO) to increase visibility on search engines and drive organic traffic.

Engage with our audience: Engage with our audience through social media, email, and other channels to build relationships and increase brand awareness.

Content marketing: Create high-quality, engaging content that provides value to our target audience and share it through social media, email, and other channels to attract more visitors.

Paid advertising: Use paid advertising such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads to reach a larger audience and drive targeted traffic to our website.

Collaborate with influencers or bloggers: Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche to reach their audience and promote our website.

Offer a referral program: Encourage existing users to refer their...

Maktaba.org is celebrating Black History Month with our new Black History Reading List and Black History Reading Group!

Ndugu msomaji,
Leo ni Siku ya Sheria Nchini Tanzania! Ili kuiadhimisha siku hii, tumewaandalia zawadi wapenzi wetu wa Maktaba.org:
→ Vitabu 20+ kwa Siku ya Sheria ← Ukichukua muda wako leo kusoma hata sura moja, ni matumaini yetu mafunzo hayo yatakuwa na manufaa makubwa kwako kama mwananchi na pale utakapokutana na mambo ya sheria katika maisha yako ya baadaye.

Zijue haki zako:
• kama Binadamu: Taarifa ya Ulimwengu juu ya Haki za Binadamu (Kiing: Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
• kama Raia wa Tanzania: Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania (Kiing: Constitutution of the United Republic of Tanzania)
• kama Mfanyakazi: Kanuni za Ajira na Mahusiano Kazini (Kiing: Employment and Labor Relations Act)
• kama Mzazi: Misingi Mikuu ya Utawala kwa Kila Kamati ya Shule (Kiing: Key Principles for Every School Community)
• kama Mmiliki wa Ardhi: Usimamizi wa Umiliki wa Ardhi (Kiing: Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure)
• kama Mwanamke: Kiongozi cha Sheria
• Juu ya mambo ya Mirathi na...

Kumsomea mtoto wako kila siku kuna faida nyingi. Inaweza kuboresha ustadi wa lugha wa mtoto wako, kuongeza msamiati wake, na kukuza kupenda kusoma. Inaweza pia kusaidia kuboresha umakini na umakini wa mtoto wako, na inaweza kuwa na athari chanya kwenye mawazo na ubunifu wao. Zaidi ya hayo, kumsomea mtoto wako kunaweza kuwa njia nzuri ya nyinyi wawili kushikana na kutumia wakati mzuri pamoja.

Hapa Maktaba tunawahimiza wazazi kuwasomea watoto wao kila siku. Ifuatayo ni orodha ya sababu kuu za kuifanya kuwa tambiko:

1. Ustadi wa lugha ulioboreshwa: Kumsomea mtoto wako kunawaweka wazi kwa anuwai ya maneno na miundo ya lugha, ambayo inaweza kusaidia kuboresha ukuaji wao wa lugha na ustadi wa mawasiliano.
2. Kuongezeka kwa msamiati: Mtoto wako anapokusikiliza ukisoma, atajulishwa maneno na dhana mpya ambazo huenda hajakutana nazo katika maisha yake ya kila siku. Hii inaweza kusaidia kuongeza msamiati wao na kupanua uelewa wao wa ulimwengu.
3. Kupenda kusoma: Kumsomea mtoto wako...

Dear Reader,
Today is Law Day in Tanzania! To mark this day we have prepared a gift for our dear Friends of Maktaba.org! 
→ 20+ Free Books for Law Day! ← If you take time today to read just one chapter, it's our hope this training will benefit you as a citizen and whenever you encounter legal issues in your future life. 

Some Legal Classics: 
• Plato's Republic
• Machiavelli's The Prince
• Toqueville's Democracy in America
• Bastiat's The Law
• The Declaration of Independence & Constitution (USA)
• More books about Open Culture, Copyright Law & Privacy

Know your rights: 
• As a Human:  Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Swahili: Taarifa ya Ulimwengu juu ya Haki za Binadamu)
• As a Citizen of Tanzania: Constitutution of the United Republic of Tanzania (Swahili: Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania)
• As an Employee in Tanzania: Kanuni za Ajira na Mahusiano Kazini (Swahili: Employment and Labor Relations Act)
• As a Parent in Tanzania: Misingi Mikuu ya Utawala kwa Kila...

kutembelea: to visit
Ninatembelea: I am visiting
unatembelea: You are visiting
tunatembelea: We are visiting
anatembelea: He/she is visiting
wanatembelea: They are visiting

kusafiri: to travel
ninasafiri: I am traveling
unasafiri: you are traveling
tunasafiri: we are traveling
anasafiri: He/she is traveling
wanasafiri: they are traveling

kuendesha: to drive
ninaendesha: i drive
unaendesha: you drive
• Do you speak English?: unasema kiingereza?
• Do you speak Swahili?: unasema Kiswahili?
• Just a little bit: kidogo tu
• How do you say... in Swahili?: unasemaje... kwa kiswahili
• I don't understand: sielewi

• Where is the...?: ni wapi...?
• Airport: uwanja wa ndege
• Bus station: stesheni ya basi
• Bus stop: bas stendi
• Taxi stand: stendi ya teksi
• Train Station: stesheni ya treni
• Bank: benki
• Market: soko
• Police station: kituo cha polisi
• Post office: posta
• Tourist Office: ofisi ya watali
• Toilet/ bathroom: choo
• What time is the... leaving?: inaondoka saa... ngapi?
•...

It was such an honor to meet with Books for Africa in Minneapolis, Minnesota last week and learn more about their incredible work delivering over 50 million books to every country in Africa! We are excited to partner with them next year to bring books to readers of all ages in Tanzania. We'll need your help. Look forward to updates on how you can start a book drive or fundraiser in your community.
Schools and organizations in Tanzania who need books are encouraged to get in touch regarding partnership.
Shule na mashirika yanayohitaji vitabu, tafadhali wasiliana nasi, tushirikiane. 

Would you like to learn Kiswahili?  Join our new Swahili Language Learners Group today!
Download free books and post your questions in the forum to get answers from advanced students and native speakers.
Browse other reading groups ->   

Reading to your child every day has many benefits. It can improve your child's language skills, increase their vocabulary, and foster a love of reading. It can also help to improve your child's concentration and attention span, and can even have a positive effect on their imagination and creativity. Additionally, reading to your child can be a great way for the two of you to bond and spend quality time together. Here at Maktaba we encourage parents to read to their children daily.

Below is a list of the top reasons to make it a ritual:
1. Improved language skills: Reading to your child exposes them to a wide range of words and language structures, which can help to improve their language development and communication skills.
2. Increased vocabulary: As your child listens to you read, they will be introduced to new words and concepts that they may not have come across in their everyday life. This can help to increase their vocabulary and broaden their understanding of the world.
3....

There are various ways to say hello in Swahili
1. Hujambo or jambo (how are you?) – Sijambo (seeJAmbo) (I am fine / no worries)
2. Habari? (any news?) – nzuri (nZOOree) (fine)
3. U hali gani? (oo HAlee GAnee) (how are you) – njema (fine)
4. Shikamoo (a young person to an elder) – marahaba
5. For casual interactions: mambo? Or Vipi? Or Sema?

• Mambo (MAmbo) – What’s up?
• Vipi? (VEEpee?) – how?
• Sema? (SEma?) – speak?
•

Examples
• Habari za asubuhi (good morning) – nzuri (fine)
• Habari za mchana (good afternoon)
• Habari za jioni (good evening)
• Habari za kutwa? ( how has your day been?)

Other replies to the above greetings that might be used in place of nzuri:
• njema (NJEma) – fine
• salama (saLAAma) – peaceful / all’s well
• sawa (SAwa) – okay
• vyema (VYEma) – well
• naendelea vyema (naendeLEa VYEma) – I am doing well

Asking ‘How Are You?’ in Swahili?
• Hujambo (how are you? – to one person) – Sijambo (I am fine).
• Hamjambo (how are you? – to two or more people) –...

Some notes from: https://www.justoneafrica.org/swahili/

To cook = Kupika
I cook = Ninapika
You cook = Unapika
He/she cooks = Anapika
We cook = Tunapika
They cook = Wanapika

Chef = mpishi

Chicken = Kuku
Fruit = Matunda
Oranges = Machungwa
Bananas = Ndizi
Meat = Nyama
Vegetables = Mboga
Carrot = Karoti

Asanteni kwa vijana, wazee, walimu na wanafunzi wote walioshiriki kwenye Maadhimisho ya Kwanza ya Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani yalioyofanyika katika Elimu Yetu, jijini Arusha. Tuendelee kuwasiliana! Jiunge nasi leo ->

Je ulijifunza nini Siku ya Kiswahili? Toeni maoni

Thank you to all the youth, elders, teachers and students who participated in celebrating the first ever World Swahili Day at Elimu Yetu in Arusha, Tanzania. Let's stay in touch! Join today ->

What did you learn on Swahili Day? Leave your comments below

Karibuni wote! Rasilimali bure (Free Resources)

Vitabu (books): 
1. Arduino Projects Book
2. Intro to Arduino 

Youtube Playlists:
Programming kwa Kiswahili (Swahili Coding Lessons)
Arduino kwa Kiswahili (Arduino explainers and projects in Swahili)
Ewaste Recycling and Salvaging

Tunawakaribisha sana leo Saba Saba tusherehekee pamoja kwa mara ya kwanza SIKU YA KISWAHILI DUNIANI. Wazee, walimu na vijana tufundishane kuhusu historia na mustakabali wa lugha ya Kiswahili. Elimu Yetu kutakuwa mashindano, mafunzo, burudani na zaidi. Changia vitabu vya Kiswahili kwa maktaba yetu!
     -> Pakua vitabu vya Kiswahili Mtandaoni
     -> Vitabu kuhusu Tanzania
     -> Vitabu kuhusu Afrika
Leo Saba Saba tunasherehekea miaka 68 tangu Mwalimu Nyerere alipoanzisha chama cha TANU kupigania uhuru. Tanzania ilikuwaje mwaka 1954? Jisomee ->

We welcome everyone to celebrate the first ever WORLD SWAHILI DAY with us! Elders, mentors and youth at Elimu Yetu teach each other, and discuss the history and future of the Swahili language. Workshops, contests, entertainment and more. Please donate your Swahili books to our library!
     -> Teach yourself Swahili
     -> Download Swahili books online
     -> Find a Swahili Mentor
     -> Books about Tanzania
     -> Books about Africa
...