STEPi Books Encourage Community Development
Akello, age 13, is the assistant head girl at a primary school in Uganda. Akello’s dream is to become a doctor when she’s older to stop the discrimination and carelessness of the medical workers at her local hospital in Alero Sub County, Nwoya district. She wants to grow up and be able to treat her aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers, grandparents and her tribe. Very few people in her community are able to become doctors and nurses so almost all health workers come from outside her home area. They cannot speak her local language so they struggle to communicate with the sick people. They discriminate against her people, she says that is because of tribalism. She has read “Amani the Boda-Boda Rider” and she believes she CAN be anything.
Such is the impact of STEPi books and conversations; connecting children with the realities that define them and inspiring their agency so they will work hard to create a more prosperous, happy future for themselves, their families and their communities filled with love, happiness, cooperation, communication, respect and peace. Our stories and their messages, rich in the science of common sense, ancient wisdom, spirituality, virtues and values, broaden children’s knowledge and help them gain the necessary confidence to be hardworking, assertive, kind, and respectful not only towards themselves but also their families, peers, communities and environment.
At STEPi we want to grow a generation of children who care and contribute towards the social wellbeing of their own societies. We revisited Anaka, Nwoya and Kiryandongo districts where we reached out to eight schools, putting more than 1000 books in the hands of children and happily engaging with thousands of learners and parents through dialogues. This is a manifestation of our relentless resolve to develop a sustainable reading culture in rural communities, primary schools and homes, consequently inspiring lifelong, self-directed educational skills and a sense of personal responsibility in learners to work hard, believe in themselves and appreciate education.
Written By:
Micheal Nelson Byaruhanga “AKA Uncle Books”
STEPi Engagement Coordinator: Uganda