Finding solace in reading

 

I joined the Africa Kids Book Club team at the Nanyuki office in March 2022 as an intern . Little did I know that this book club experience would teach a lot in the long run. By committing to nurturing a reading culture in children, the book club has  given me a platform not only to grow my passion for reading but also provided me the support I need to gain more confidence in my own writing as now I am writing this article. 

Growing up at the foot of Lol Daiga hills in Laikipia county,  I never had access to a school or local library. The only time I had an opportunity to read something other than my school textbooks was when my dad would go into town which is seventeen kilometers away to buy a newspaper then I knew I would be lucky to have something to read that week. My Dad had a shelf at the corner of our living room where he kept his novels and other reading materials. However, he prohibited my siblings and I from  touching his books. My curiosity got the better of me  and when my dad would travel into town or be away from home for a few days, I would sneak in and pick a book from his corner shelf even though I couldn’t read. I would  just go through the pages looking at the pictures and the illustrations which guided me to figure out the story. This in a huge way helped grow my imagination and writing skills in primary school. 

As a teen in secondary school, I became a bookworm. I recall spending hours carefully reading through different book synopsis so as  to pick the right book for my weekends. I cherished my weekends because there were no schools and once I had done my chores I would spend my free time reading. It would be just me and my favorite characters having a fine conversation. This is a habit that has grown to date.

 

Having the opportunity to work with the kids every month is such an amazing experience for me. I am able to read with all of them and watch their confidence grow. At the end of our reading and discussion meeting, even the most quiet children feel confident enough to raise their hands and answer a question  or contribute to the discussions. Seeing how much the children are committed to reading their books and engaging in group discussions motivates me so much; it gives me a purpose. 

Keep reading. It’s one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone can have.” — Lloyd Alexander

 

 

Rose Makena

Facilitator/ coordinator