Caught between gangs, this library is a refuge for kids to rewrite their story
Between two warring gangs, there is a locus of peace in the community of Scottsville, Cape Town. On the border of the territories of the opposing 27s and 28s lie a pair of shipping containers. Children gather inside among thousands of books, away from the threats of the streets. “This library is a symbol of rebuilding for future generations,” Terence Crowster says. He founded the Hot-Spot Library in 2017 as a safe space for his hometown, where young people impacted by gang violence have died as a result of the ongoing conflict. But at the library, youth have the chance to renew their lives.
Crowster recalls a time before gangs dominated the streets and children could walk freely and play sports without fear. Yet today, amid a brutal culture, kids searching for direction fall into the temptation of joining a gang. Wanting to offer people the chance to change their circumstances, Crowster decided to flood his community with books. “The library is an opportunity for children to rewrite their story,” Crowster says. Shielded by the shelves, youth can access the resources they need to improve their literacy.
From just 30 attendees, the library has grown to over 700 members including adults. Kids can also come here to receive Maths tutoring, mentorship, and lessons in recycling and even self-defence. Through the library, children who were previously struggling in school are now excelling, and those who were once on their way to joining gangs now spend their time in the repurposed shipping containers. Here, they can uncover their potential, and a purpose beyond the fight for survival. “We’ve taken this site of trauma and transformed it into a place of hope,” Crowster says.
