Reading in Africa: Community Launch at Naguru Parents School

This post is the first piece to the “What does a Worldreader Kit Launch Look Like?” series by our team member Kimee Johnson who is on the ground in Uganda this week launching a new e-reader program. Kimee will be reporting daily as project managers, teachers and students are trained. Today’s post is about the official community launch.

by Kimee Johnson, Assistant Partnership Development Manager

We’re all book people here at Worldreader, but how many of us read four books a day? That’s how many Bridget, Naguru Parents School’s Librarian and first Worldreader Student Ambassador, read each day since FOYA partnered with Worldreader to bring e-readers to Naguru Parents School.

The last day of every Worldreader Kits Launch is a public celebration. The “Community Launch” announces the e-reader program to the school family and encourages a community-wide investment in fighting illiteracy. The ceremony also recognizes those who make a successful launch happen. Worldreader awards the Project Manager (Jordan), teachers who completed training, student “e-reader leaders,” and the operational partner (FOYA), honorary certificates.

At Naguru, honorary guests, the school administration, FOYA, and Mike all addressed the crowd and spoke to the importance of the e-readers to encouraging learning. Teacher Diane announced, “We hope these e-readers help not only our students to read for exams, but to open our minds.” Between the speeches students performed songs, dances and skits in honor of the guests and about the e-readers. Many thanks to the many Otterbein University students involved in helping the students with the adorable performances: “Only one! Your book has only one story?!” a student gasped in mock surprise during a play about how paper books are ancient.

After the skits and certificates, the dancing continued. The DJ blasted everything from “Bolingo, like this!” to “Call me Maybe,” and the entire school erupted in celebration in the name of books for all.

I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate.