By Nanjinia Wamuswa
The notion that Kenya not a reading nation and that Kenyans read only to pass exams, was an insult to university lecturer Joseph Muleka to the extent that he chose change the trend.
Dr Muleka couldn’t imagine future prospects of school children who only read to get good grades in class. So, he initiated a library project to nurture reading culture amongst pupils. He says he chose his Busia County to pilot the project.
“When I started Mundika Library project, last year, I didn’t know it would pick so fast, especially after I chose a library of materials not taught in class,” he says.
“I started project of reading material outside classroom totally aware of claims of students reading only to pass exams. I wanted to break from normal reading to pass exams rule, and initiate reading for fun. This develops reading culture along the way,” adds Muleka.
Rising Demand
The project, which targets primary pupils – Class Three to Eight – has received “amazing” support and interest, a year later. Thousands of pupils in Western Province have flocked his facility to the extent that he now fears his limited resources won’t satisfy the demand.
The library is stocked with storybooks and religious materials. A panel of teachers agree on books that suit various classes.
Surprisingly, Muleka says his library project was an afterthought. While in his Busia rural home, Muleka says, he realised poor children lack exposure, a crucial part of intellectual development. It could also be one of the reasons that affect their general performance, he says.
“I have wide experience in education and know that exposure – visiting places, learning new things and interacting with others – play important role in children development,” he adds.
Humble beginning
With this in mind Muleka started a children forum that involved singing, drama and sports in the neighbourhood. Children also did community work, visiting and helping the needy and aged members of the society.
One day as he pondered on his concern on how he could help the children improve class performance, “the library idea struck” his mind.
“I shared it with Mundika Primary School head teacher George Oloo. I wanted it to be a pilot project,” he adds.
Mr Oloo gave him a room but hinted to him more neighbouring schools would back up the idea.
He says, “I knew his idea was bright and would benefit many more pupils in this region.”
Today the reading has overtaken other events Muleka had initiated. The project was officially launched in March this year with more than 40 schools across the region attending.
Before the launch, Muleka had asked interested schools and pupils to donate text books, and, he says, the response was amazing. Many books were donated.
Schools currently benefiting from the project include Ganjala from Samia, Ikonzo (Marachi), Inaya (Bukura), Kholera (Matungu), Khasoko (Bungoma), Ojamii (Busia) and Kholera (Matungu).
The University of Nairobi literature lecturer says the room he was offered at Mundika Primary is now not enough for the project, especially after he got more reading materials from friends in Canada and Britain. He has since employed a librarian.
After realising it would be very hard for all schools to visit the library, Muleka engaged boda boda riders to deliver books to distant schools.
“Several of them agreed to volunteer. I only fuel their motorbikes to deliver books,” he says.
They have dark blue uniform.
Each school receives a supply of 40 books a month. The riders collect them later and either take them to other schools or return to the library while schools in the neighbourhood read from the library.
Muleka remains optimistic any pupil who takes the project seriously will reap much from it.
Many teachers in the area are appreciative of the project. Buringala Primary head teacher Chrispinus Okumu confirms his pupils are developing habit of reading and enhancing language comprehension thanks to the project.
Assessing progress
“Now, our pupils can read as many books as possible depending on their speed. We are optimistic of good performance in future,” he says.
Each participating school has identified a teacher to co-ordinate the reading. Every pupil is on assignment to make summery of every book read. The summaries are compared and used to gauge pupils’ progress.
Muleka intends to launch an annual competition event in August, where pupils from all participating schools will compete in public speaking, composition writing, drama and reciting poems.
“It will make pupils work even harder. Teachers will be selected to judge the performance,” he says.
Among his other short and long term visions include starting computer classes for interested pupils and establishing a school to admit poor and bright students in the area. All these, he says, would be made possible sooner if he found sponsors and partners to work with.
Muleka admits this is a big challenge but vows never to rest until he sees a society of empowered youth.
