The Malindza Refugee Camp is a 400 person refugee camp/resettlement center in Mpaka, Swaziland. Refugees come from all over Africa including: Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC. They have fled their homes because of war, genocide and government collapse. Many arrive in Swaziland with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The library at the Malindza Refugee Camp was started by Peace Corps Volun
teer (and Heligator founder) with the generous donation and help refugees at the camp, private donors and NGO's who banded together to rennovate a vacant lot of buildings, build shelving and bring over 1,200 books to the library. Heligator Records was founded to continously fund the library by purchase necessary supplies, fund repairs and provide a stipend to the refugee volunteers who run the library. A recent addition of electricity means that it now stays open late and serves as a space for students to study after school hours. Head librarian Jean Bosco teaches classes in English and French in a recently expanded library area. Every dollar you spend at Heligator goes directly to the library. Plus, you get AMAZING music from artists around the world who donate tracks, EP's, full albums to the cause. You can read all about Library happenings here: http://malindzarefugeecamplibrary.blogspot.com/
