Transformative Literacy: The Journey of Kande's After-School Reading Club

By Sasu Brako, Project Officer - Education

In the heart of the Gyaesayor community in Ghana, the literacy once seemed like an elusive dream. But a 13-year-old girl named Kande has emerged as a beacon of hope, lighting the way to knowledge and empowerment. The second born of five siblings, Kande lives with her parents, Mr Kumah and Irene, in the picturesque village of Konkomba, an integral part of the larger Gyaesayor community.

Like many children in her village, Kande initially faced an intimidating challenge: learning a foreign language. As a Konkomba, her native language was not the language of instruction, so she struggled with Akuapim Twi and English. The effects were evident in her reserved, shy demeanour and unhappiness, especially in the classroom. Kande's mother expressed her concern: "My daughter finds it difficult to learn the Twi language, and she is not performing." 

The After-School-Reading Club plays a vital role in the educational initiative for young learners in the early grades. It serves as a hub where children can build on the literacy skills they acquire in school after regular classes and on weekends. The programme aims to develop essential skills that will enable children to be more involved in their homes, schools, and communities. It emphasizes the use of the local language as a medium of instruction, to complement their formal education.

Each reading club has a book bank of engaging storybooks that children, like Kande, can borrow. Presently, there are approximately 43 After-School-Reading Clubs across 20 communities within the Krachi West Area Programme, which are operated by World Vision. Trained community facilitators oversee these clubs and lead children in activities such as singing, dancing, and storytelling, all aimed at improving their reading skills. In In addition, trained members of the Community Action Core Group provide weekly oversight of the reading club activities.

Every Thursday and Saturday, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, becomes a revered time for Gyaesayor's children, to ensure they complete their chores on time to attend the reading club sessions.

Reflecting on Kande's early struggles, Solomon, one of the volunteers, "When she started attending the reading club, her reading level was not encouraging. She mentioned words differently, which had nothing to do with the sounds. It is interesting to share that, with our support, she can read confidently in both the local language and English."