When Kristen and Dina first met, one of the dreams was to open a children’s library. The library would become a community hub not just offering books, toys and games to the children of Nepal but also a place to offer counselling and first-aid training.

Mamata established its first library, Mamata Reading Zone, in 2020 in Patan and since then the library has been able to offer an after school program employing a librarian. More than twenty families have been able to visit and connect with the library regularly. Mamata opened its second library in Banepa in 2022 and the third library is being built in Lumbini which is part of a school. It is expected to open in late 2024.

The Mamata Reading Zone organizes various fun activities in the libraries to stimulate the children’s minds and add a fun element to studying. The fun activities include arts and crafts, parents and children day, puppet shows, shadow plays, and read-a-thons. To further encourage better learning, Mamata also organizes reading competitions and gives the title of “Reader of the month.” The library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, the library only operates from Monday to Friday, but soon it will also provide its service on Sundays and Saturdays.

The plan for the next five years of Mamata is to open an additional two libraries in two different districts to reach as many children as possible. Mamata hopes to bring books to the children of underprivileged backgrounds, juvenile detention and prisons. The primary goal is to establish ideal libraries all over Nepal to serve the local community.