Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

Abigael, a member of the Lioness LitClub, was the featured reader for the Kenya Connect Radio Read Aloud!  "It was so exciting to hear my voice on the radio!" Abigael joyfully commented.  Reading Mama Hen's Cozy Wings, Abigael's strong voice inspired student readers listening to the show.  The Radio Real Aloud show is part of our strategy to reach learners during the school shutdown due to the Pandemic.  Featured during the children's hour on Mbaitu FM, a station broadcasting from Machakos, the Radio Read Aloud features a story, lesson and activities.  Students can call in (using their parents' phones) to win prizes as well as through completing assignments.  During the Read Aloud program we invite students to enroll in our library card program and to borrow books to read while schools are closed.

LitClubs are part of our new partnership with LitWorld, a non-profit promoting literacy around the world.  With training and materials from LitWorld, staff members Cyrus, Cornelius, Monicah and Margaret serve as mentors for these weekly sessions.  It's been especially rewarding for the staff to arrive at the schools to begin the LitClub sessions to find the students leading Read Alouds with each other!  Monicah commented that back in February when we began the clubs, students barely spoke, and now they are confident readers!  

In addition, 540 students are participating in the 2020 Reading Challenge! Each student is challenged to read 25 books during a three month period.  They record the books read in the colorful Reading Challenge guide designed by high school students at the Garrison Forest School in Maryland.  The guides also include crossword puzzles, mazes, word searches and fun fact activities.  In October all students completing the challenge will receive a string bag and other prizes and we will "crown" the top King and Queen readers.

These reading programs, coupled with our ongoing library days, are providing literacy learning for our rural learners.  Support from our GlobalGiving donors ensures that we can continue these programs that inspires and builds confidence for our students.  

"I want to be a pilot and reading is paving the way," says Koki, one of the Radio Read Aloud presenters.  Thank you for supporting Abigael, Koki, Janet, and Alex, our first group of student Radio Readers.  As a result of the Radio Read Aloud success, plans are underway to continue this program in 2021.