Written by Whitney L Dixon
Reading. Books. Libraries.
These are things that Harding students not only take for granted, but at this point in the semester may cause stress because of looming assignments. But to the people of Rwanda, these are things to be desired. Unlike in America, these things are not readily available.
EnterAfrica Reads.
Africa Reads is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote literacy in Rwanda. Started in 2009 by Ken Stamatis, assistant professor of education, the organization is a partnership with Rwanda as the country strives to rebuild itself after the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
It is believed that had Rwandans been able to read and write, and had access to more information, many people would have been saved from the genocide. Since the genocide, the Rwandan government has recognized the need to increase literacy in its citizens, and in 2008 English was named the new national language.
Through the partnership with Rwanda, objectives for Africa Reads have emerged that, according to Ron Cook, administrator of Africa Reads, are directly in response to the agenda of our partners.
These objectives include providing professional development for teachers and training them in strategies that they can use to teach their students English, and sending university students and teachers to Rwanda to enter the classrooms themselves and work hands on with the students to teach them English as a second language.
The organization is also working to open the markets for African authors who want to write for African children.
“Africa Reads has a compelling mission,” Cook said. “This is the kind of thing that is reflective of the Spirit of Christ.”
One of the most important goals of Africa Reads is library development, according to Cook, who said the organization is currently raising funds to ship books to Rwanda.
Enter Students Advancing Learning and Teaching (S.A.L.T.), Harding’s professional society for education students. As members of S.A.L.T. were choosing a service project for the semester, Africa Reads was brought to their attention, and they decided they wanted to help raise money for book shipments.
“We felt that it was important to reach out to countries that haven’t been given the same educational opportunities we have,” said junior Ellen Erwin.
To raise this money, S.A.L.T. sold T-shirts in the student center last week. The shirts will be sold for $10 and are available in white with a green design, and brown with a white design. The design can be seen above.
“Having been to Rwanda, and seeing through tear-filled eyes the pain and devastation the Genocide caused, my heart reaches out to Rwanda and its people,” junior Natalie Freeman. “Participating in the Africa Reads outreach to promote literacy among the people of Rwanda is a small way in which I, along with many other Harding students and faculty, can show our love for God’s people.”
For more information on how to donate to Africa Reads, or to get an application for traveling to Rwanda this summer, visit theAfrica Reads websiteor contact Cook atafricareadsnow@gmail.com.
