Access to books in Kwala, and throughout Tanzania, is often limited, with most books too expensive and therefore inaccessible to the majority of rural populations. According to Mkuki Na Nyota Publishers, the government is often the biggest purchaser of books, which are usually limited to textbooks using English as a medium as opposed to a child’s first language, Kiswahili. But children do not always respond well to textbooks and, due to the language barrier, they often struggle with reading them. This struggle has led to an indifferent and frustrated reader, and a subsequent rise in illiteracy.
The culture surrounding story telling – a critical component of Tanzanian culture – is also rapidly fading. Story telling was not just a recreational activity. It served as a medium with which lessons were taught, wisdom was spread, and the imagination of children was cultivated and fostered.
In the absence of story-telling and dearth of accessible reading materials available in Kwala, NTC has introduced an Early Childhood Reading Program to Kwala village. NTC staff visit families throughout the village, reading with children and their families and reinvigorating the art of story-telling. Mimicking changes in intonation, pointing out certain facets of the illustration, and sounding out letters and words on each page, children and their parents have brought the art of story-telling back to life. The books, ranging from introduction of ABC’s to short stories and word problems, are all written in Kiswahili and are both culturally and linguistically appropriate. At the end of each reading, the book is given to the family with the promise that they will continue reading.
NTC is now working to expand the program, partnering with Josephina, a local business woman who is now selling children’s and adult readers for reasonable prices in Kwala Village. With the introduction of affordable reading materials throughout Kwala Village, we hope to not only decrease illiteracy, but to also reinvigorate the family setting as a place for group learning and expanding imaginations.
