Thursday, June 29, 2006

Read On

Does anyone remember how the drawers in the Craft Center used to hold volumes of books? This was the “library” of sorts back in the days and even though the books were very old, some of the stories were still fresh. I remember one particular title “Anabella takes the plunge”. The only reason the title stuck to mind was, I learnt the meaning of the word plunge two years after reading the book. That was when I was finally taught how to use the dictionary.

I confess some ignorance on the issue of the village library’s existence; it may still exist as we speak. I know there is a reading tent activity every vacation though, but I wonder what the practice is in between. My interest in this matter was sparked after reading Ben Carson’s “THINK BIG”. I was reminded of our students (here I go again). Ben Carson’s story can be compared to what we are experiencing right now in the village. he was not doing too well in school, watching too much television, etc. His mother encouraged him to read a book a week and that opened his mind, gave him more knowledge and improved his interest in studies. I was left wondering if this is an activity that can be introduced in the villages. Have book reading contests with some small incentives to encourage reading.

I know such activities need planning and organization. No extra employees are needed. This falls under the education department I presume. So voila! We have the educator and a few of the youths assisting, and the program is off its feet. Remember how the youth used to be in charge of the chicken coup, under the supervision of the village father? I believe we have a lot of untapped talent in the youth and they will be willing to assist in the activities when called upon.

Stocking the library can be a two pronged activity. It can also be a PR activity used to inform the public on SOS work in the community.

Today’s challenge
Are you reading a book this week?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I dont know what to say about the home that I call my home,thank God it is a home for many.
It was a journey with very many memories, either psychological,physical ,emotional, spiritual, mental, dreams ,vision nightmares and the list is endless.
I will summarize, we have good and bad memories,of abuse and it was called discipline,starved and it was called punishment ,humiliated and was called
community-togetherness, very strict and they called it protection , our career's were decided upon and it was called cost-cutting.
You could not express what you feel or want, it was called culture .
Worst still nobody ever told us, "I LOVE YOU","U ARE SPECIAL", "YOU ARE GREAT","THANK YOU" ,Every child would love to hear that, is that so much to ask for?, do you blame us, when we hear those words from the wrong people and trust them . It is never to late, Say it NOW Mothers or Village Fathers .