We sponsored the creation of 3 pickleball courts in Arusha, Tanzania
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Proverbs
Updated 3mo ago
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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 teaching the coaches (and other Arusha residents) the joys of Pickleball. The many tennis players have picked up the sport immediately, and on the first day ALL 3 courts were packed from 10am til sunset (7pm).

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Updated 5mo ago

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!

Updated 9mo ago
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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! If you haven't yet, please e-mail your essay about any proverb to tuzo@maktaba.org today! (English or Kiswahili accepted.) 


Learn Swahili on World Swahili Day! (Free Resources)

In Tanzania, today is also Saba Saba, celebrating 69 years since Julius K. Nyerere founded the Tanganyika African National Union to advocate for independence.

Happy World Swahili Day from Maktaba.org!
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Today is the deadline to send your submission for our Proverb Essay Contest! If you haven't yet, please e-mail your essay about any proverb to tuzo@maktaba.org today! (English or Kiswahili accepted.) 

Proverb Essay Contest 🡺 Read the Essays here 🡸 Click 🤍 to Cast your Vote ❤️

Updated 9mo ago
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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)


Leo Saba Saba tunasherehekea miaka 69 years tangu Julius K. Nyerere Alipoanzisha TANU ili kupigania uhuru. 

Heri ya Sikukuu ya Saba Saba na Siku ya Kiswahili Duniani kutoka kwa Maktaba.org! 
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Shindano la insha ya methali

➡️ Soma insha zote hapa ⬅️

Bongeza ❤️ ili kupiga kura


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).
Updated 9mo ago
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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

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 that explains what the proverb means in your view. 

Requirements
  1. Language: The essay must be in English or Kiswahili.
  2. Length: The essay must be typed, between 80 and 1000 words long (longer than a sentence, but not more than 2 pages)
  3. Copyright: Your work will be distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, which says, in short, that anyone can copy, change, translate or print your work without your permission, as long as you are mentioned as the creator.

Suggestions (optional)
Here are some ideas you may want to include in your essay:
  • Origin: Explain the origin of the proverb, if known. Remember to cite your sources.
  • Common Uses: Explain when and how the proverb is usually used, giving examples.
  • Creative Writing: Write a poem or tell a short fictional story that relates to the principle of the proverb
  • Personal Experience: Tell a personal story that illustrates the proverb from your own experience.
  • Application: Suggest how readers can apply the principle of the proverb to improve their daily lives
  • Anecdote: Share a related anecdote from science, history, mythology, or literature. Remember to cite your sources.
  • Similar Proverbs: Find similar proverbs from around the world.
  • Opposite Proverbs: Are there any proverbs that contrast with this one?
  • Discussion: Asking questions that invite readers to reflect on and share their own thoughts and experiences.
  • Illustration: Draw, take or find a picture that illustrates the proverb and include it in your essay.
These are just a few ideas to inspire you. For more, look at some of our previous proverb posts. We look forward to seeing your creativity! 

Step 3: Upload your essay here
Deadline: 7 July 2023

If you have any trouble submitting your essay, you can also email it to us at tuzo@maktaba.org. Don't forget to provide your payment information in order to receive your cash prize if your essay is chosen.

Submit your essay here before 7 July 2023! 


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Updated 9mo ago
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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 yet, please contact us.)
   This competition was held in honor of World Swahili Day (Saba Saba). This is the first contest we've sponsored online. We ask for your advice, please comment below, should it be done again? Due to the great response we've had from participants in various East African countries, we are already starting to plan.
   If you didn't submit your essay the time, don't miss the next contest. Join Maktaba and confirm your email to make sure you'll be notified!
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Updated 9mo ago
by

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 Saba). Hili ndilo shindano la kwanza tulilofadhili mtandaoni. Tunaomba shauri zenu, toeni maoni hapo chini, lifanyike tena? Kutokana na mwitikio mkubwa wa watu katika nchi mbalimbali za Afrika Mashariki, tayari tunaanza kupanga.
   Kama ulikosa kuwashilisha insha yako, usikose kushiriki shindano lijalo. Jiunge nasi, thibitisha email yako na utajulishwa.
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Updated 9mo ago
by

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 pili25,000/= TSh
  3. Mshindi wa pili12,500/= TShl

Vigezo & Masharti ya Shindano

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 maana ya methali kwa maoni yako.

Masharti (lazima)
  1. Lugha: Insha iwe kwa Kiswahili ama kwa Kiingereza.
  2. Urefu: Idadi ya maneno ya insha iwe kati ya 80 na 1000 (ndefu kuliko aya, ila isizidi kurasa. Piga chapa kwa kompyuta au simu.
  3. Hakimiliki: Insha yako itasambazwa chini ya leseni ya Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), inayosema, kwa kifupi, inaruhusiwa kunakili, kubadilisha, kutafsiri na kuchapisha kazi yako bila idhini, kama utatajwa kama mtungaji.  

Ushauri (hiari)
Haya ni mawazo kwa muundo wa insha yako:
  • Chimbuko: Eleza chimbuko la methali kama inajulikana. Taja vyanzo vya taarifa.
  • Matumizi na mifano: Methali hutumika vipi na nyakati gani? Taja mifano.
  • Bunilizi: Tunga shairi au simulia hadithi fupi iniayohusiana na maana ya methali.
  • Uzoefu binafsi: Simulia hadithi kutoka kwa maisha yako / uzoefu wako mwenyewe.
  • Utekelezaji: Toa shauri kwa wasomaji jinsi ya kutekeleza methali katika maisha yao ya kila siku.
  • Simulizi ya kweli: Shiriki hadithi kutoka sayansi, historia, ngano/kisa, dini, au fashihi. Taja vyanzo halisi.
  • Methali zinazohusiana: Find similar proverbs from around the world.
  • Methali zinazopingana: Je kuna methali ambazo zinatofautiana na methali hii?
  • Majadiliano: Uliza maswali yanayowaalika wasomaji kutafakari na kushiriki mawazo yao / uzoefu wao.
  • Picha/Mchoro: Chora, piga, au tafuta picha inayoeleza maana ya methali na ambatanisha katika insha yako.
Hayo ni mawazo tu, ili kukuhamasisha. Pia unaweza kusoma mifano kwenye Methali za Siku. Tunatarajia kuona ubunifu wako!

Hatua ya 3 : Pakia (upload) insha yako hapa
Tarehe ya mwisho: 7 Julai 2023 (Saba Saba)
Jaza fomu: https://forms.gle/2VgUtNPMBLETjbCx5
AMA unaweza kuwasilisha insha yako kwa baruapepe. Tuma kwa tuzo@maktaba.org. Usisahau kutuambia taarifa zako za malipo ili tuweze kukutumia zawadi ya pesa ukishinda shindano!

Wasilisha insha hapa kabla ya 7/7/23


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Wasilisha Insha ya Methali hapa ama kwa tuzo@maktaba.org

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 kukuambia kinasema nini-- Jisomee mwenyewe!
Kwa watu wengi, wakati huu ni msimu wa kutafakari dini zao, kwa sababu ya Ramadhan na Kwaresma.  Chukue nafasi hii kujielimisha kidini. 


For many people, their favorite book is a Holy Book, like the Bible or Quran. Why do we like to read these books more than others?
  • - Holy books are about the important things in life.
  • - Holy books give us wisdom, courage, humility and faith.
  • - Holy books have exciting stories about prophets and heroes. 
I've read a lot of books from different religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. I recognized the same principles and stories-- it's just the names that change. School textbooks have many questions and the correct answers are in the last section, or in the Teacher's Book. But for Holy Books, there are no certain answers. The scholars and teachers of religion still don't completely agree on the meaning of the book. They use their education to discuss and argue about important verses.
If you believe that a certain book came from God, don't trust any person to tell you what it says-- Read it for yourself!  
For many people, this is a season to meditate on religion because of Ramadan and Lent. Take this chance to educate yourself.
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Updated 9mo ago
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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
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