National

First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, has challenged parents and teachers to inculcate a reading culture among children as an investment in the young generation and tool for development.

Mrs Kagame made the call while speaking at the Reading Day event dubbed; “Today a reader – Tomorrow a leader!” held at Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle in Rubavu District.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging parents and teachers on the importance of reading and how to help students develop better learning skills and cultivate an interest in reading.

“Reading is a source of knowledge which helps the brain mature, it does not require a lot of resources but needs to develop at an early age, and the curiosity to discover,” she said.

This initiative is spearheaded by Imbuto Foundation, whose patron is the First Lady.

She said as part of its priorities, Imbuto Foundation provides
empowerment tools to the youth, stressing that developing a reading culture should be mainly viewed as a responsibility of parents.

The First Lady also said that parents should spare at least 30 minutes every day to talk to their children, and guide them on reading and making choices on the nature of books to read.

The initiative which is part of the larger campaign called Rwanda Reads implemented by several institutions in the education sector, will help in availing books and reading materials through schools, libraries and bookshops.

The event took place during the action week of Early Childhood
Development Policy which aims at ensuring that children achieve their potential, are healthy, well-nourished and safe, and parents and communities become nurturing caregivers by receiving integrated early childhood development services.

The Deputy Country Representative, UNICEF; Deguene Fall, said UN supports the reading activities since it does not only give values and life skills but also knowledge about the world.

“These skills are in areas such as health, hygiene, protection of
children against violence and children’s rights. Parents’
encouragement of their children to read from an early age is crucial,” Fall said.

This reading campaign organised by Imbuto Foundation will be carried out in September countrywide.