Consultancy for Community Listening Libraries Storybook Printing in Kenya – Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)

1. Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private not-for profit, non-denominational international development agencies, institutions and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource poor areas. Globally, AKF seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other resource-poor areas. In East Africa, AKF works with partners to improve the quality of life by promoting and developing innovative solutions to challenges of development in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Reflecting the complex and multi-faceted nature of development, AKF operates a multi-sectoral portfolio that includes programming in Education, Economic Inclusion, Civil Society, Health and Early Childhood Development.

2. Background

In 2020, AKF led a diverse consortium of partners to generate media content to elevate the importance of reading for enjoyment and learning through play. These included, but were not limited to, Night-Time Tales, Bena and Kena (both aired on NTV), and Playkits with videos and posters (See akflearninghub.org/). Based on the success and learning from these, AKF is looking to expand this partnership to increase the reach and impact of reading and play content across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2022, AKF will be developing and distributing “Community Listening Library Starter Kits” featuring storybooks, games, audio resources, and other related materials. Through this, AKF aims to: i) enable children to access locally developed content that elevates the idea of reading for enjoyment, engaging children’s imaginations and interests; ii) share games and playful activities to enable children to further their engagement with the content and the overall experience; iii) drive East African stories, and iv) engage children and their parents to become active contributors through content creation opportunities.

3. Consultant Scope of Work

AKF is seeking to engage a publication house to print the books listed below as part of the curated “Community Listening Libraries” that will also include content for use across diverse media including visual, audio, and written formats. The scope of work includes:

1. Reviewing the list of content to print and providing quotes for each;
2. Recommending printing specifications for these books to be used in community libraries; and
3. Printing 100 copies of each title in each language listed.

4. Key Deliverables

At minimum, the deliverables include:

1. An itemized list of all books with: confirmation that the supplier can print 100 copies of each book, the cost of 100 copies of each book, and confirmation of procurement/shipping timelines,
2. Procurement and shipping of 100 copies of all selected books after AKF review of the above list.

5. List of Books

All books being printed are for public use in a community library (not meant for individual use or for drawing/writing directly in the books) and should prioritize durability.

Final order will be for 100 copies in English and 100 copies in Kiswahili of each of the books below:

• 15 illustrated storybooks
  • Approximately 20 pages each
  • Size / Format: Standard A4 format; 210 by 297 mm or 8.27″ by 11.69″
  • Binding: Staple binding, landscape
  • Cover page: 300 GSM Art Board Laminated Glossy
  • Internal pages: 130 GSM Matte Finish, Full color
  • Bleed: 3mm on all pages
• 1 illustrated storybook
  • Approximately 35 pages each
  • Size / Format: Standard A4 format; 210 by 297 mm or 8.27″ by 11.69″
  • Binding: Staple binding, landscape
  • Cover page: 300 GSM Art Board Laminated Glossy
  • Internal pages: 130 GSM Matte Finish, Full color
  • Bleed: 3mm on all pages
• 1 comic book
  • Approximately 32 pages each
  • Size / Format: Standard A4 format; 210 by 297 mm or 8.27″ by 11.69″
  • Binding: Staple binding, portrait
  • Cover page: 300 GSM Art Board Laminated Glossy
  • Internal pages: 130 GSM Matte Finish, Full color
  • Bleed: 3mm bleed on all pages
• 1 activity book
  • Approximately 30 pages each
  • Size / Format: Standard A4 format; 210 by 297 mm or 8.27″ by 11.69″
  • Binding: Staple binding, portrait
  • Cover page: 300 GSM Art Board Laminated Glossy
  • Internal pages: 130 GSM Matte Finish, Full color
  • Bleed: 3mm on all pages

AKF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is Committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment.

The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org)