Month: September 2018

From Paul Ayutoliya, FAVL/CESRUD library coordinator:

This is a brief report on happenings in the three community libraries. Attendance at the three libraries has been good. Major activities that characterized this month include individual reading of story books, group reading, riddles and games with story time. Effective daily patronages to the libraries are usually recorded in the Sumbrungu and Sherigu libraries, this is mainly due to the fact that these libraries are been surrounded by basic schools unlike the Gowrie-that has it’s basic schools distant from the library, so many a times it is the night sessions that patrons do come in their good numbers. At the Sumbrungu Library, patrons read story books in groups with the librarians and also had good riddle time with coordinator, during the night a good number of patrons come to study their notes taking from school, some copy notes from others whiles other also do their assignment work. Other also come to read story books individually. The patronage is increasing every day and we are doing all we need to do to make reading and learning continue to be very good.

The story is also the same at the Sherigu Library save that the night sessions attendance there is not as many as Sumbrungu. Over the week I paid a visit to the the library, it was Wednesday the 26th of September, the pupils of St. Peter and Paul Academy were in the library in their good numbers. With the assistance of the librarian and one teacher who came from class with some pupils, we divided the pupils in three different groups. One group read the story of Peter’s Wish with me. Another group read with the teacher Chidi likes only Blue and the last or third group read Diana, the hairdresser learns to read, one of the Literacy Changed my Life series with the librarian. We spend good time in our group readings answering and asking questions at the end of the reading. At the close of day everyone were happy.

The Gowrie library also have almost the same story of the library usage save that their attendance is mostly during the evening sessions. We today visited the library during the daily session and caught up with Mr. Akolgo Anaba who’s nicknamed ‘Americana’ Americana who is an adult told me he wants to read some of the story books with me in the library. So in the library I read with him the Crocodile Bread and The lucky one story books. It was a very very interesting encounter I have with this man. Americana once in a while as I read with him will talk about how he knows Accra especially when I mentioned Nima Mamoobi in the story of the Lucky One he exclaimed is in Accra! In the story of the Crocodile bread, Americana tried explaining to me with his broken English good and bad bread. To him bread with a lot sugar is not good especially when you taking it with tea that sugar is added reason being it can you sickness and so he prefer a bread without sugar. This and other fun discussion made our day. To conclude the community libraries are performing great and we are hopeful for more good performances.

 

Coordinator Paul Ayutoliya writes:

Basic schools resumed school on the second week of September on the 11th, a week after the climax of the vacation reading classes. The first week of schools reopening as usual was for major cleaning exercise in and around the surroundings of the various schools across the country. The respective three community libraries were also cleaned by the respective librarians with assistance from some pupils also. The patronage to the libraries for the first week during the daily sessions was quite good, as the days progresses patronage is picking up. The first week was characterized by individual readings, games and sharing with each other happenings during the vacations period. At the Sumbrungu Community Library, most of the patrons who shared their story said they spend their vacation periods attending free vacation reading classes that was organized by the library, they touch on a number of story books they read and the moral lessons, the fun with other colleagues and making of new friends from other schools. One of those who were attending the classes wanted to share with friends who did not attend the classes some riddles, he begun by putting this riddle to them: What belongs to you but it is mostly use by others? There were all kinds of funny answers such bicycles, shirts among others, Anaba told them the answer is simply your NAME. He told the friends he learnt all those riddles from the classes. Some also said during the vacation they were helping their parents in farming, taking care of animals among others. At close of that sharing with each other happenings during the vacation period, those who could not make it to the classes, were amazed the things they heard from the others who were attending the classes; the boldness in the way they talk, the story books read and the mother lessons, the riddles and rest. The look and indication from each face that were not able to attend the classes shows they will not miss the opportunity of attending the classes the next time it will be organize. The story of the first week of schools reopening is almost the same in the other two community libraries during my visits to the library. The night sessions attending is mostly patronized by the young adults, who come to read story books, work Maths, study science and the other related subjects.

From Paul Ayutoliya, CESRUD library coordinator:

The vacation reading classes begun well on the 6^th of August 2018 in all the three libraries and lasted for four week. These weeks were characterized by reading of different kinds of story books in the respective libraries under the guidance of the coordinator, librarians and volunteer teachers who supported us in taking care of the participants, there were riddles, different kinds of games, story time, visits by parents and CESRUD directors among other interesting activities. This year’s reading classes was indeed an interesting one.

Early this week exams were conducted for participants in all the libraries on all the story books read during the classes, the riddles, general knowledge and some logical reasoning questions. Most of the participants and particularly the regular patrons to the libraries and the reading classes every year did exceptionally well in all the questions.

The closing ceremonies of the reading classes started at the Sherigu community library on the 29^th of August, a Wednesday, some parents came around to witness the closing ceremony of the classes, parents present were grateful to the organizer of the classes after their wards took turns to read one after the other to their hearing. They wish the classes continuous every year. Prizes such as exercise books, pens and pencils were presented to all participants.

On the 30^th of August, the Gowrie-Kunkua community library also had it climax of the reading classes. Parents were also present to witness the ceremony. The participants there also took turns one after the other to read some of the story books (Amoako and the Forest, David’s Day at the Mine, All about Ama, the Adventure of the Twins among others) to the hearing and applause from parents. Parents were very happy to see their children read with the confidence they were reading with. They express their appreciation to the donors and supporters of the library. Their wish was that we continue the good work. Prizes were also presented to participants.

The grand finale of the classes was held today at the Sumbrungu community library, parents came in their good numbers, and the participants were about 200 people excluding the parents. The director of CESRUD was with the education coordinator of CESRUD, the librarians were present with all the volunteer teachers. There were entertainment from the pupils/students, reading demonstration, participants of the classes share some benefits of the classes with parents and all present. There were a number of speeches from several people; the director of CESRUD, education coordinator, CESRUD/FAVL coordinator, parents and the participants of the classes among other events. Prizes were presented to participant with some refreshment to some of the dignitaries, volunteer teachers, the librarians and our participants.