50 children benefit from ‘Reading is Fun’ programme

Fifty children on Friday graduated from the Reading is Fun programme.
The programme ran for a three-week period and saw participation from children between the ages of five and 13. Themed “Reading is Empowerment”, the activities were aimed at motivating a love for reading among children.

The schedule of activities for the programme included vocabulary and spelling, poetry writing, reading and comprehension, reading for enjoyment and appreciation, short stories and storytelling and phonetic awareness. The children were also treated to educational tours, including a visit to the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens.
The programme— which concluded on Friday with a formal ceremony at the University of Guyana (UG) library — saw the young participants, who hailed from Cummings Lodge and Sophia, Greater Georgetown, awarded certificates of appreciation, while some of their crafts were displayed.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin during the closing ceremony said that the Reading is Fun programme is one that is special since it is important for children to learn to read at an early age.
“Help us to produce the kinds of citizen’s and young people we want in the country, it is very important at this time that young people learn how to read because reading is the foundation of all academic knowledge and if you are unable to read, then you are unable to comprehend complex concepts and to express yourself in the kinds of ways that you want to and most importantly, you are unable to create the kind of life and to come to your best potential,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor expressed to the gathering.
Mohamed-Martin further commended the parents who ensured that their children attended the programme and urged them to continue pursing academic activities for them.
“I want to always commend parents and guardians and aunties, grandmothers, big brothers and sisters that take the time off to bring your children to these kinds of activities, we know that often it is a sacrifice for you because you have to find transportation, time off work; there is a lot of negotiation involved and so it is a choice that you have to make. So we want to applaud all those who have brought their children,” the Professor applauded.
Top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) students Dave Chowtie and Ethan Bianchini were both presented with congratulatory gifts for their outstanding performance at the programme.