Turning pages, changing lives!

Just a few months ago, learners at a local primary school in the Hhohho region struggled with basic English skills—poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and a lack of fluency marked their daily challenges. Unlike their peers in town, these children had never experienced the joy of diving into a good book from a well-stocked library. But, all of that changed in June 2023.

Tucked away in the most vulnerable parts of the northern part of Eswatini, the school received a transformative gift from World Vision Eswatini’s Gifts-In-Kind (GIKs) Unit—a donation of over1,360 books that turned a humble room into a thriving library. These include interactive books for preschoolers, adventure stories, numericals, spelling books, strategies of English writing, short stories, teacher’s resource kits, etc, to name a few. This wasn’t just a simple gesture; it was an intervention with the power to reshape futures.

World Vision’s GIK programme has always aimed to bridge gaps in underprivileged communities by providing essential resources. For the 567 learners at this primary school, these books became more than just pages to flip through—they became windows to a world of knowledge and opportunity. Suddenly, students in grades 3 to 7 had access to stories and information that sparked their imaginations and sharpened their skills.

Mrs. Mathonsi, one of the school's dedicated teachers, noticed the impact almost immediately. "We've witnessed an impressive improvement in spelling and overall literacy since the arrival of these books," she shared. "Our students are more engaged and eager to learn." The library became a hub of activity, with students regularly borrowing books and discussing what they had read.

The change was most evident in their English writing and speaking abilities. Last year, the Grade 7 class surprised everyone by excelling in their oral speaking exams—a remarkable improvement from previous years. The newfound access to books had clearly made a difference, giving these rural students a chance to compete academically with their urban counterparts.

One of the standout students, Tandziswa, has already read ten books from the library. "I am now able to create proper sentences and understand English better," she proudly stated.

For children in communities like this one, where educational resources have always been limited, the impact of such an intervention cannot be overstated. World Vision’s GIK programme, supported by World Vision U.S. Programs, is not just about providing books; it’s about empowering children to develop their skills, gain confidence, and dream bigger than ever before. In places where opportunities are scarce, initiatives like this help level the playing field, ensuring that every child, no matter where they come from, has a fair chance at a brighter future.