Literacy is fundamental to education and economic growth, yet literacy rates remain low in many African countries, particularly in rural regions where educational resources are scarce. According to UNESCO, about 60 million African children lack basic literacy skills, which hampers their academic performance, social development, and future employability. Cultural, economic, and logistical barriers contribute to the literacy gap, which is often more pronounced in disadvantaged and remote communities.
Most schools and city in Cameroon have libraries but these structures are not well equipped with materials and human resource to benefit users. Most of these libraries have even been abandoned to the hands of school teachers who know little or nothing about managing and coordinating the activities of a library. Considering the fact that this sector has been ignored over the years, the books in these libraries have become outdated providing little or no inspiration for students to exploit. The existence of this mobile library will act as a double edge sword that is providing quality books in semi urban and rural communities and establishing a base for orientating youths on career choices.
There is a famous saying in Cameroon that if you want to hide something from a Cameroonian put it in a book but if you want to show something to a Cameroonian, put it in a bottle of beer. Many children don't know which route to pursue after primary, secondary or high school.
• Phase 1: Community Engagement and Preparation
o Community Mobilization: Conduct outreach to engage parents, community leaders, and local organizations. Hold informational meetings to introduce the program, explain its objectives, and gather support.
o Volunteer Recruitment and Training: Recruit community volunteers and conduct a training program focused on child-centered reading techniques, storytelling, and activity facilitation. Volunteers will learn how to create an inclusive, supportive reading environment.
o Resource Collection and Preparation: Partner with local and international organizations to source age-appropriate, culturally relevant books and reading materials. Organize and prepare resources for each reading hub.
• Phase 2: Establishment of Reading Hubs and Launch of Activities
o Setup of Mobile Library Reading Hubs: Establish four reading hubs through mobile library vans, each equipped with bookshelves, reading mats, and seating arrangements to create a welcoming, comfortable space for children.
o Weekly Reading Sessions: Hold weekly reading sessions at each hub, where trained volunteers lead children in reading aloud, group reading, and storytelling. Sessions will include both guided reading and independent exploration of books.
o Interactive Literacy Activities: Incorporate creative literacy activities, such as drawing, role-playing, and discussions about the stories, to make reading sessions more engaging and support comprehension and expression.
OGCEYOD has already donated 400 books worth 2,000,000 FCFA ($4,255). to schools and the Limbe city library in the past and supports about 50 children yearly for the past 4 years with school supplies to facilitate their academic years and reduce the burden on their parents who live below the poverty line.
This initiate has been modified from book and school supplies donation to setting up mobile libraries that visit different communities weekly to promote literary.
• Phase 1: Community Engagement and Preparation
o Community Mobilization: Conduct outreach to engage parents, community leaders, and local organizations. Hold informational meetings to introduce the program, explain its objectives, and gather support.
o Volunteer Recruitment and Training: Recruit community volunteers and conduct a training program focused on child-centered reading techniques, storytelling, and activity facilitation. Volunteers will learn how to create an inclusive, supportive reading environment.
o Resource Collection and Preparation: Partner with local and international organizations to source age-appropriate, culturally relevant books and reading materials. Organize and prepare resources for each reading hub.
• Phase 2: Establishment of Reading Hubs and Launch of Activities
o Setup of Mobile Library Reading Hubs: Establish four reading hubs through mobile library vans, each equipped with bookshelves, reading mats, and seating arrangements to create a welcoming, comfortable space for children.
o Weekly Reading Sessions: Hold weekly reading sessions at each hub, where trained volunteers lead children in reading aloud, group reading, and storytelling. Sessions will include both guided reading and independent exploration of books.
o Interactive Literacy Activities: Incorporate creative literacy activities, such as drawing, role-playing, and discussions about the stories, to make reading sessions more engaging and support comprehension and expression.
