As in many part of the World, It is the school holidays in Rwanda this November and December 2016. Students in Rwinkwavu and surrounding sectors are taking advantage of the school holiday to spend time at the Rwinkwavu Community Library/Learning Center. In keeping with the theme of Literacy Month 2016 “Beyond School Walls: Promoting Literacy in Homes and Communities” RfR is playing a key role in helping youth benefit from their time off from school.There is a large increase in attendance during holidays, especially secondary students who are eager to practice their computer skills in our lab.Secondary School students running practical typing basic

Watching their colleague performances

Children and youth are actively engaged in a variety of structured activities ranging from book clubs, story time, e-readers, puzzles, games, music and basketball with plenty of time for independent reading. A bonus is that adult attendance increases during this time as many parents accompany their children to the library and become familiar with the many resources available for themselves. Book making/storytelling workshop: conducted and facilitated by a teacher/literacy specialist from the US. 100 children ages 5-10 participated in the workshop over a 4 day period.

Writing and book making workshop Enjoyable storytelling sessions

The workshop sessions were inspirational and a wonderful opportunity for the children who participated to discover that they can not only tell their own stories BUT write their own books too and through this process build their love of reading. They are keen for more opportunities like this.

Celebrate International Literacy Day and Rwanda Literacy month with us! In 1965, UNESCO declared September 8 International Literacy Day (ILD) in an effort to focus attention on worldwide literacy needs. Literacy is the foundation of learning across all subjects. On International Literacy Day (ILD), people throughout the world will renew their efforts to make literacy education accessible to all. Rwanda plans to extend the celebration throughout the month by encouraging events and activities that promote literacy. As part of the celebrations, Rwanda Reads will hold an assembly to share literacy initiatives, and to present Rwanda Reads as a strong platform for networking and promoting a culture of reading throughout Rwanda. Ready for Reading is conducting different literacy and reading sessions and campaigns  to encourage the love of reading and writing during this  month. Please take time to read a story to your teachers and students in your school. Please take time to read a short story with your children at home. Week I: Ready for Reading in homes – @ Musabe Drocela’s house Week II: Ready for Reading team Conducting literacy and reading campaign in Mbarara cell. Week III: Ready for Reading team conducting literacy and reading campaign with different primary and Secondary Schools in Kayonza District. Week IV: Ready for Reading team supporting Nasho community library to celebrate 2016 ILD  

In Partnership with LitWorld Organization, we organized a very special LitCamp that gathered all of our Girls Empowerment Program (LitClubs) beneficiaries to cultivate social-emotional development by building resilience and literacy skills together. Guided by “7 Strengths” – Belonging, Curiosity, Friendship, Kindness, Confidence, Courage, and Hope – and working with our mentor team, we create safe and supportive communities where children learn to value their own and others’ stories, become powerful readers, and use literature as a guide as they learn to navigate their lives and tell their own stories.

The camp is a joyful time for all 60 LitClubs member to spend together

Normally, LitClub brings 60 members together once a week for two hours after school for joyful learning, creative play, and social interaction. LitCamps are the full day complementary program that run during school breaks. While LitClubs focus on ages 10-14, LitCamp has a multi-age structure that reaches younger children, getting them excited to read and write and read with purpose. We place older LitClub members and LitClub graduates in leadership roles as junior mentors and reading role models.

Camp learning time in small groups (Bunk time)

LitClubs and LitCamps result in a dramatic increase in children’s reading and writing capacities, civic engagement, future outlook, and sense of personal value, as well as a positive change in overall literacy levels and reading and writing habits of all community members. Our programs cultivate deeply developed mentor relationships and strong support networks that build towards successful futures.

As you might know all over the world, children are eager to learn and utilize the power it brings. Research shows that children learn to read and write best by writing and telling their story.

This is rare in our community and a big reason why we planned this camp which will benefit our existing LitCamp  members and their interested fellows. Click on the picture read the whole article in newtimes