Promoting reading culture and Hygiene

It is customary for rotaract clubs to identify community needs and address them in line with the 6 Rotary areas of focus; promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.

At the same time, reading is one of the things that still need to be addressed especially in secondary and primary school to inculcate a culture of reading amongst students in Rwanda.
 That is why the Rotaract club of KIE, Kigali Rwanda in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Bweyogerere Uganda and Rwanda Library Service on Saturday 21st/02/2015 convened at Groupe scholaire Kabusunzu/Kabusunzu primary and secondary school, Kigali  to help students read, donate books and also donate handwashing cans and posters to help improve hygiene at the school.

For a couple of weeks, the rotaract club of KIE (host club)underwent intensive preparations and  worked tirelessly from identifying the school, the need, the materials, partners for the project etc.

The event started at 2pm with introductions and opening remarks from the Deputy headmaster of Kabusunzu primary and secondary school. After, the floor was open to students to read from their choice of books. It was so interesting how students some students were able to read very well, however, some found trouble airing out words and keeping the consistence.

Rotaractors took time in between to correct and facilitate students how they can read better. More to that rotaractors later on read to students which was quite a learning experience for students on how to be a good reader. the President of the Rotaract Club of KIE, Nyoni Jean Luke expressed, in his speech, the importance of reading. "Reading should not just stop at school curriculum and syllabus, but also our normal day to day life should be refreshed by new knowledge and information though reading". He added.

After the reading exercises, handwashing demonstration lead by the Rctr Bahati, the president of the rotaract club of Bweyogerere, Kampala Uganda. it was so eye catching that everyones' attention was drawn to the President Bahati. The demonstration went well.

After that both clubs donated more than 200 books to Kabusunzu primary and secondary school with the help of Rwanda Library Services. Also a watering can and handwashing posters were handed over to the school administration to help improve the hygiene.

The Rotaract clubs of Kigali City, Kampala city and SFB kigali participated and honored the event.

Closing remarks and appreciations from the school were made by the deputy headmaster.
The event ended with group and individual photos and networking.

By DRR Vumi