Reading Culture

Posted by: David Omondi

Shelia assisting children with their homework

A group of students working in the library

Akili library has been a busy place this month as kids approach the end of the 1st term and prepare for exams. The frequent visitors to the library are the school children mostly in pre-school to 7th grade. They are always excited to pick up a book and read at the library. ​

​Most children, particularly in Obunga, have little access to books. Akili Library is the only library in the entire slum area. The main national library service point is at the center of Kisumu town where most of the kids and Obunga residents cannot travel to due to the long distance and the charges imposed as library fees.

​While at school, the teachers spend time trying to finish the syllabus and do not give the kids ample time to read books. Besides most schools do not have a library. As a result most children finish school with poor reading habits and very limited literacy skills. 

​At Akili, we offer homework assistance to the kids and also encourage them to pick up a book and read every day after doing their homework. We endeavor to inculcate a reading culture in the kids living in the slum through offering access to reading materials that are relevant, stimulating and enjoyable to the kids so that the kids can begin to crave the books and read for pleasure. This will help to foster a lifelong reading habit among the kids.

A 3rd grader reading a book

Children studying at the library

A view of Obunga slum from the Akili library