Changing Kids’ Lives, One E-Book at a Time: Okanta Kate’s Story

One e-book can change a life. It changed Okanta Kate’s life forever.

After reading The Shark by Ghanaian author Peggy Oppong — a book Worldreader digitized and added to her Kindle, Okanta Kate was hooked, and magical things began to happen. This 17-year-old high school student — who lost her mother when she was 10 and now lives in eastern Ghana with her father and younger brother — has became an avid reader, and has devoured more than 100 books in one year. Now, she’s writing poetry and short stories. She aspires to not only achieve great things, but to inspire others around her to achieve great things as well.

See for yourself how Okanta Kate’s life has been transformed.

From poet to famous writer

Here’s the poem Okanta Kate read in the video. It’s clear: She’s a young woman off and running towards great things.

 

“Agony of a Woman”

 

I am the subject everyone talks about.

I am the laughing-stock everywhere I go.

I am despised by men.

Women gossip about me.

Children mock me.

Barren Woman they call me.

 

They call me a witch.

They say I ate my children.

The say my womb is blocked.

Barren Woman they call me.

 

I live alone in a deserted place.

I walk alone with no friends or family

I sleep alone with no man at my side.

Barren Woman they call me.

 

 – Okanta Kate

 

Let’s help Okanta Kate become the most famous writer in the world. Share her story and help make her dream real.

Update: Since the video went live on Wednesday, at least one publisher has offered to publish Okanta Kate’s poems and short stories. We’ll keep you posted on how that works out.

One e-book closer to a million. Many more stories to share.

A few months ago, we launched a big goal. Worldreader wants to be the first to send a million e-books to Africa. You’ve seen how one e-book has changed the course of one girl’s life. How could just one more e-book touch another life… and another and another?

In the next few months, we’ll show you the impact just $5 can have on a child’s life. We’ll be featuring stories about some of the children in our program, and you’ll hear for yourself the difference reading is making in each of their lives.

On Okanta Kate’s behalf, THANK YOU! Your support helps bring more e-books to Okanta Kate and kids like her. You’re inspiring them to dream big.