Friday April 23, marked the international reading day. In Rwanda, the First Lady, Jeannette kagame, and the Minister of Education, Charles Muligande, joined 150 children aged 6-12 in a reading awareness event.

Rwanda has historically been an oral culture. However, with the trend of events today, it is imperative to promote reading, and there is no better level to start than among young children.

Scientists have proved that if reading is promoted and encouraged among children, they will grow up enjoying it, as it gradually becomes a habit.

The advantages of reading are numerous. There is no doubt that books are a treasure that is available for everyone to discover.

It is the exposure experienced through reading, that will enable children widen their imaginations and aspirations, offering them more options in life.

Parents should then include books among the list of necessities required to bring up children. And, with the advancement in technology, books can now be bought on the internet, read on line and with the availability of audio versions of books, the options are limitless.

As the number of bookshops and libraries increases in the country, parents should start taking advantage of them, and while in school, special reading sessions should be included in the daily activities of the children.

Promoting a reading culture will not only benefit the children, but will help build a critically thinking and a knowledgeable population.

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