LibrarySelfie Spotlight: Maria N. Kuume

Maria N. Kuume grew up in a small village near Outapi, Namibia, raised by her grandmother with limited access to books. She often relied on borrowed materials from older students, but even that scarcity was enough to ignite a love of reading that began when she was just eight years old.

Years later, as a Business Administration student at the International University of Management, Maria's turning point came when a friend encouraged her to join the LibrarySelfie 2021 challenge organised by Library Aid Africa. Winning the challenge was a milestone she had not expected. It brought her recognition, a trip to Windhoek to receive her prize, and a deeper awareness of the importance of cultivating a reading culture.

The impact went far beyond the prize. Maria began encouraging her colleagues and peers to prioritise reading, becoming a grassroots advocate for library engagement. Her journey from a girl borrowing books in a small village to a university student championing reading culture is a reminder of how a well-placed initiative can change the direction of a life.