Derrick Ampereza
As different countries prepare to celebrate International Literacy Day across the world which is celebrated on 8th September every year, the Peer Link Initiative Uganda a non-government organization that operates in Nyarushanje sub county Rukungiri on Monday kicked off different activities as they join the rest of the world to celebrate the day.
Peer link initiative empowers communities in teaching and educating children plus their parents how to read and write both literate and illiterate to reduce levels of illiteracy in Nyarushanje sub-county and Rukungiri district at large.
It started its first Nyarushanje Community Library and Empowerment Center in 2013 and since then it has supported the setting up of 25 community-based libraries across Uganda to contribute towards efforts geared to improve the quality of education and more than 39,000 people have benefited through its multiple Education program activities.
International Literacy Day was declared on 8th September 1966 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1967 it was first celebrated.
The 2023 International Literacy Day will be celebrated under the theme “Promoting literacy for a world in transition and Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.
This week reading sessions for candidates at levels p.7, S.4 and s.6 at their community libraries will be conducted as they prepare for the day’s celebrations on Friday 8th at peer link offices in Nyarushanje.
According to Monica Natukunda, the peer link field coordinator explained that this is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits and the joy of reading and to remember that illiteracy still presents a huge challenge to our society and is something that people must strive to reduce.
She adds that this increases the love of reading books by children and other people to open their minds and help them to progress successfully through their education to be able to achieve their education goals.
Ambrose Gumisiriza S.6 student of St. Joreme Ndaama SS said as candidates they have been able to access reading materials and do research during holidays and other days at Nyarushanje Community Library and Empowerment Center where it also organizes reading competitions which will enable them to perform well in their exams.
He says it couldn’t be easy for them to get reading materials in villages during holidays hence thanking the peer link initiative for organizing such pre-reading competitions ahead of literacy day celebrations which will help candidates much ahead of their final exams.
