Earlier this week, Kenya held the first ever Annual National Reading Day to promote reading culture, digital skills, and literacy among Kenyans of all ages organized under the partnership of Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) and Worldreader, a global nonprofit organization that provides children and families in the developing world with access to digital books.
During the inaugural Annual National Reading Day launch Worldreader launched a three-month reading campaign organizing communities to encourage children between the ages of 3 to 12 to read 25 books each within three months. The community that excels in promoting reading and achieving the set targets will be recognized and awarded as “Mashujaa Wa Kusoma” on October 12th, 2024. Thereafter, the winning communities will be acknowledged during Kenya’s Mashujaa Day celebrations held on 20th October annually for their outstanding efforts in fostering literacy among children.
The National Reading Day stems from a presidential proclamation made on July 12, 2023, recognizing the transformative power of reading and the importance of making literature accessible to every Kenyan. The launch of the KNLS’s virtual library platform, vtabu, marked a pivotal moment in this journey, underscoring the nation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering a love for reading.
“We are thrilled to inaugurate this day dedicated to the joy of reading and the empowerment that comes with literacy,” said KNLS Chairman, Bishop Robert Theuri. The Kenya National Library Service, with its mission to provide comprehensive library and information services, has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of vtabu platform. This platform, with over 200,000 information materials, serves as a vital resource for Kenyans, promoting knowledge and digital literacy.
Worldreader provides family-centered reading experiences to all children, so they are inspired to explore a world of endless possibilities with a keen focus on igniting a passion for discovery and knowledge through BookSmart, a mobile application designed mostly for children and young adults to promote literacy and education especially in under-resourced communities.
One of the most inspiring aspects of BookSmart is the young readers who, regardless of their background, are embracing the joy of reading and inspiring their peers with their stories and reading journeys. Their enthusiasm and dedication to learning have encouraged many other children to embark on their own reading journeys, demonstrating that with access to the right resources, every child can achieve great things.
“BookSmart is being implemented globally, and its implementation in Kenya is expected to have a profound impact on literacy rates and educational outcomes,” said Ms. Olivia Kimani, the Director of Partnerships & Services at Worldreader, Kenya. “In collaboration with KNLS, Worldreader provided training and support to educators, parents, and community leaders to maximize its reach and effectiveness.”
The Kenya National Reading Day aims to increase literacy rates in Kenya and promote access to information in both physical and virtual formats, foster a reading culture for lifelong learning and personal development, encourage local content creation, collaborate with stakeholders to bridge the digital literacy gap, and promote creative leisure through e-reading.
“We envision a Kenya where reading is a cherished habit ingrained in the fabric of society,” said Dr. Charles Nzivo, Director of KNLS. “Our partnership with Worldreader and the launch of Mashujaa wa Kusoma Campaign reflect our dedication to this vision, empowering individuals through literacy and digital skills.
The day-long celebration held across the country featured various activities, including library tours, author discussions, book swaps, exhibitions, signings, reviews, panel discussions, storytelling sessions, drawing and illustrations, reading and writing sessions, information literacy for both physical and digital libraries, and book donations. Worldreader also hosted a storytelling activity with Coach Catherine Ireri at the KNLS Hadithi Corner to engage children and inspire a love for reading.