Bungoma county Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka on Tuesday launched an initiative intended to boost reading culture in Bungoma County dabbed “Nurturing The Reading Culture”.
Addressing students and residents of Kimwanga in Bumula Sub County during the launch Lusaka said that, for many years African countries have not fully embraced the crucial culture of reading and have not been able to realize the role that reading plays in shaping public opinion and therefore failure in promoting democracy.
He encouraged parents to invest in the education of their children as a way of changing the face of the community, eliminating poverty and making sure they have a good life in future.
Lusaka noted that one of the biggest challenge is to realize a knowledge driven society, where people are well informed, make informed decisions and participate effectively in public participation because they do not know how to express ideas.
“My government will work to establish and sustain a variable reading culture, through community library service and any outreach program that will ensure that we encourage ourselves to read not just to pass exam but as a lifelong effort,” promised Lusaka.
The event was organized by the first lady of Bungoma county, Mrs. Margret Makelo Lusaka in partnership with the Children’s International Organization through the “Skip a Lunch Initiative” that aims at helping the needy.
The program aims at nurturing reading culture among school going kids and ensure they have access to books that are always the sources of knowledge.
According to the first lady , they Children’s International is out to help the needy in the society and make sure all children across the county have access to quality education.
Children International donated a total of 14,000 books worthy 30 million.
The CEO of Children’s international, Mr. Dominic Marara promised that they will continue to partner with Bungoma county until they improve the standards of education by making books accessible to children.
“We as Children international, aim to support and help the needy and as long as we have the capabilities, the initiative of Nurturing the Reading Culture will be our up front,” he said.
The Chief Executive Committee member in charge of Education Mrs. Beryl Mutekhele, who also graced the occasion, asked teachers to guide their students in using the books and make sure they benefit maximally.
Lack of funds was pointed out as the major factor limiting the functional realization of a lifelong reading culture and therefore community libraries must be developed to meet the societal and developmental role of information dissemination and literacy illumination in the society.
Bungoma County got its first public library in the year 2006 that was established in Kimilili town.
The occasioned was also graced by other leaders in Bungoma County including the Chief Executive Committee (C.E.C) in charge of Housing and Sanitation John Munyasia and the C.E.C in charge of Public Administration Mokin Arap Tanguny.
