The journey in promoting the culture of reading

I recently asked a friend, when he last took time to read a book and build on his knowledge. I was shocked to hear that “reading is for those with enough time.” Thus he excused himself attributing his failure to a busy schedule. “It is not that I do not admire people who read, but right from my primary school, reading was and has never been my hobby,” he says. He says that at school he never bothered to read much, only concentrating towards the end of term when exams were around the corner! So, like many he read to pass exams, and that has had a lasting impact on how he views reading. Like many his reading culture is zero. He also says it is a burden and almost impossible for him to read two pages of either a novel or even a simple book. He claims to sometimes want to read, but fails to concentrate. “Its not that I hate it, but I just do not understand as to why I always feel bored whenever I try to read.” Stephen Mugisha is one of the few people putting in place measures to promote reading and writing not only for the young but even older people. Through the Rwanda Book Development Initiative (RBDI), Mugisha has been involved in writing books, organizing conferences as well as putting in place reading groups. “I realized there was need to come up with strategies that will give the Rwandan population the appetite for both reading and writing,” Mugisha says. “It was first of all a challenge on making a right decision on whether the strategies should target the young or old, the reason why I decided to go with both,” adds Mugisha. Mugisha explains that reading has to go hand in hand with writing, as one leads to the other. He says “When a person reads about something, I believe he is also inspired to write about it basing on how he understands it or his opinion or even making it better.” He recently embarked on giving chance to people to express their views through organizing conferences, reading clubs as well as writing competitions for children. “Although I have a long way to go, at least I am proud that I have managed to come up with ways that have made some people start reading and writing,” explains Mugisha. Mugisha adds that “As RBDI, we have started Kigali Book Center (KBC) which encourages old people to read and we also look forward to having children conferences just like the one we had in September.” According to him, members of KBC have scheduled meetings that help them meet to plan for expansion of their operations so as to benefit a big number of elders. “Although the aim of the Center is to see that elders can also read to discover more, it is from that set-up that as parents, they have the responsibility to encourage their children,” says Mugisha. Mugisha points out, that parents have a great role to play in the bringing up of children which includes giving them a concrete foundation in education. “Taking care of children does not only mean feeding and buying them good clothes; it also covers basics that prepare them for a brighter future.” Geoffrey Rugege, Executive Director of the Higher Education Council and author of the English-Kinyarwanda dictionary, says that reading should be considered part of life. “It is high time that people realize the need for both reading and writing,” Rugege says. He says that the new dictionary will be of great help to those who seek knowledge about the two languages. “I have no doubt that the book will play a great role in helping the community to learn the two languages based on need,” he says. He adds that “It will facilitate in schools since we have shifted from French to English as the medium of instruction.” According to Rugege, the book motivates readers especially Rwandans since it gives them a chance to read their mother tongue and discover what it means in English.Alice Mahoro, 15, a primary five pupil at Kigali Harvest Primary School, says it is hard to get time at school to concentrate and read her books because the timetable is fixed with lessons. Free time is always for relaxation. “It is only possible at home when my mother tells me to revise my books especially after the evening tea and before I get to bed,” Mahoro says. She however, calls upon fellow children to get time to read their books especially in the morning and evening saying “it is the best time because I am always fresh.” Ends