An Oak Lawn school librarian is leaving a significant impact both locally and in Zimbabwe by inspiring fundraising efforts for library construction. This month, Heather McCarthy will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the first completed library in Zimbabwe.
Building Libraries for Education
Heather McCarthy, the librarian at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School since 2021, has been on a mission to place books in the hands of children in rural Zimbabwe. She began working at the school as an English teacher in 2005. Reflecting on the project, she expressed her eagerness to see children enjoy physical books, as they previously had no access to literature.
McCarthy’s involvement began in 2024 when she joined a leadership tour in Zimbabwe with Tererai Trent, an advocate supported by Oprah Winfrey and president of Tererai Trent International. The organization focuses on advancing education in Zimbabwe’s rural public schools.
Community Efforts and Fundraising
Visiting Musukwi Primary School exposed McCarthy to the joy and hardships faced by students with no library facilities. Her experiences inspired her students to initiate a fundraising campaign, which included modifying the annual 5K Walk for Literacy to a 6K, representing the average distance students walk to obtain water or attend school.
The community rallied around the cause during this event, raising $25,000 needed for the library. Additional support came from a fundraiser at 115 Bourbon Street, and surrounding schools also expressed interest in joining the effort.
Expanding the Vision
With only one of Trent’s schools currently equipped with a library funded by Winfrey, McCarthy plans to raise $300,000 for 12 additional libraries. She launched LibrariesforZimbabwe.org to involve more schools in this initiative through activities like walks, penny wars, or read-a-thons.
McCarthy’s commitment involves more than financial contributions. She emphasizes empowering students to help each other, fostering a cooperative spirit across communities.
Acknowledgments and Awards
McCarthy’s principal, Sean McNichols, values the project’s educational impact, highlighting the establishment of global connections through community-led projects. Her students’ initiative to contribute proceeds from their literacy walk underscores her influence in cultivating compassionate leaders.
Recently, McCarthy received a Gold Award in Children’s Education at the Women Changing the World Awards and Summit in Paris. The recognition came for her efforts in supporting education globally and inciting local communities to effect positive change.
Looking Ahead
Trent praises McCarthy for her dedication to establishing a library and computer laboratory in Zimbabwe, noting the importance of providing children with culturally relatable books. The decision to fund the purchase of local materials strengthens community engagement and cultural pride without the high cost of international shipping.
The upcoming grand opening ceremony will include local community representatives and government officials, witnessing the new library equipped with books and digital resources. McCarthy’s endeavors continue to grow, with the next 6K Walk for Literacy scheduled for October 17.