As the world marked International Literacy Day on September 8, a day dedicated to advancing literacy as a tool for empowerment and inclusive development, 22-year-old Sam Tumusime set off on his daily mission: delivering books and stories to children and communities in Rwinkwavu, Kayonza District. Each weekday from 1pm to 5pm, Sam pedals across a 3-kilometre stretch, visiting schools and neighbourhoods in Rwinkwavu Sector. His goal is clear: to equip both students and out-of-school youth with essential literacy skills, fostering a love for reading, writing, and learning while nurturing creativity and critical thinking. With the support of three fellow riders, Sam reaches five classrooms, each containing about 30 lower primary pupils, in four local schools: GS Rwinkwavu, Nkondo 1, Nkondo 2, and Abadahigwa Primary School. The children eagerly await his arrival, excited for the new stories he brings. Armed with books from a community library established by the NGO Ready for Reading, Sam ignites the imaginations of young learners, many of whom may not have had access to such captivating stories before. Vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives help even the most reluctant readers to embrace the joy of reading. As these students immerse themselves in the stories, their confidence grows, and their curiosity is awakened. For an hour each day, they explore new ideas and learn to think critically about the world around them. “Children love the stories we tell,” Sam shares. “I prepare stories that inspire them to think creatively and critically. It’s amazing to see how attentive they are and how they relate the tales to their daily lives. According to their teachers, class performance has improved, and attendance has increased, helping to reduce school dropouts.” Tumusime and his team are on a mission to combat the challenge of students reaching Primary 4 without basic reading skills. Research shows that students who cannot read by Primary 5 are at higher risk of dropping out of school. Valentine Mukankubito, a Kinyarwanda teacher in Rwinkwavu Sector, highlighted the program’s impact: “This initiative has been incredibly helpful. Some students have become fluent in Kinyarwanda, confident in expressing themselves, and eager to share the stories they’ve heard. It has also enhanced listening skills and strengthened relationships between students, storytellers, and teachers. We’ve even seen a decrease in absenteeism.” Beyond schools, Sam and his team visit Rwinkwavu Hospital every Thursday, bringing stories of hope to patients in the surgery and internal medicine wards. “We read to about 30 patients, sharing stories that inspire and uplift them during their hospital stay,” Sam explains. “The stories we share with patients are different from those we tell students, focusing more on resilience, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. It’s a privilege to offer comfort and hope through storytelling.” Sam and his team have undergone storytelling training, enabling them to guide students in visualising the stories they read. Jean Marie Habimana, director of Ready for Reading, says that the riders have reached over 14,500 residents so far. He emphasised the program’s particular benefit for children with disabilities, helping to improve their imagination and cognitive skills. “For children with disabilities, including visual impairments, the deaf, and those with Parkinson’s disease, we use audiovisual tools to ensure inclusivity,” Habimana said. Kayonza District aims to help 2,000 residents achieve literacy each year. Jean Damascene Halerimana, the district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, stressed the importance of fostering a love for reading from an early age. “By providing accessible and inclusive reading materials and activities in schools and communities, we are nurturing a future literate population. We are also ensuring that every child is enrolled in and receiving a quality education,” Halerimana noted.
