Over 40 children benefitting from UG reading programme

Over 40 children are benefitting from a reading programme initiative following the launch of the University of Guyana’s ‘Reading is Fun’ programme at the university’s library on the Turkeyen Campus, on Wednesday.
This initiative, which is also being undertaken at UG’s Tain Campus, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), aims to support the development of children from surrounding communities, is being supported by Unicomer, specifically its Courts Optical Department.

During the launch, UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, expressed gratitude to Unicomer, formerly Courts, for its long-standing support and quick response to the university’s request for collaboration. She highlighted the university’s delight in offering this three-week reading programme to students, hoping they will take full advantage of it to enhance their skills. She also thanked the UG library team for their dedication to the project and extended appreciation to the parents for allowing their children to participate in this essential programme.
Courts Optical Chain Manager, Richard Simpson, echoed the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of supporting such initiatives and noting that few universities globally undertake similar efforts.
Meanwhile, UG’s Chief Librarian, Gwyneth George, noted that the programme has been running for more than 15 years and targets vulnerable children, particularly those between the ages of five and 13. She explained that while reading forms the core, the programme extends beyond literacy, incorporating activities such as educational excursions, basic computer skills, and creative pursuits like poetry. The youngsters are grouped and guided by expert facilitators from the university’s library.
Simultaneously, a similar program is being held at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) where more than 30 children from surrounding communities are participating.