10 Meet the Readers

Meet the readers

Michael’s Story

I am a Maasai boy of 16 years old. One day
our school was invited to a reading tent in
Morogoro

My village is ten kilometres from the main
road to Morogoro. So our teacher had to ask
for permission from our parents. The
following day, we were assembled at the
school at 4pm. Then we started walking to
the main road. It took us almost three hours
to reach the main road. From there we
boarded a bus to Vigwaza where the reading
tent was. At Vigwaza there were many other
children coming from other schools, and we stayed there that night.

At 9am the reading tent started. We were allowed to choose a book to read. I
choose “Mganga Pazi” [Pazi the witchdoctor]. The story was very very nice,
and I enjoyed it. In our school there are no such books. It was my first time to
see those books. At noon, we were told to prepare ourselves for meals. I was
given a plate full of rice, meat and beans. I have heard other children saying
rice is very delicious, but I had not tasted it. So I ate my food quickly without
forgetting to leave a little for my sisters and brothers at home. I asked for a
plastic bag and I put the remaining rice there.

When we arrived home, everybody was exhausted but we were very excited
to tell our parents what we had seen.

The following day my brothers and sisters also set off to go to the reading tent.
All of them were very happy. After three days our school was given books to
start a library. Now we have a school library where many children borrow
books. School attendance has improved because children like reading story
books. The reading tent made me see these books for the first time in my life,
so I will always remember it.

*Michael’s name has been changed. 10. Meet the readers
1
Book Aid International – Class resources
www.bookaid.org/schools

Dalila’s story

My name is Dalila and I am twelve years old. I live
with my mum and dad in the north of Kenya in a
house which is made of tree branches and
thatched with dried grass. I have a big brother,
Jomo, but he left home and went to the city to
find a job. He only comes home to visit
sometimes.

Every morning, I get up and check on the family’s
goats. It is my job to look after them, so I clean
their pen, and take them out to look for grass to
eat. Sometimes I meet my friends, and we play
games while we watch our animals. At about midday I bring them home and
get ready for school. Because I have to look after the goats I only go to school
in the afternoon and some days, I’m too busy to go at all.

There are about 60 children of all ages in my class. Sometimes our teacher
takes the class outside, under the trees! I love the school library, and I borrow
as many books as I can. I like reading stories best! When I get home from
school, I help my mum to sweep our house and cook a meal. We usually eat
stew with beans and vegetables. Sometimes I go to the well and collect water.
Before I go to bed, I read stories to my mum and dad. They did not have the
chance to learn to read and love to listen to me!

Book Aid International – Class resources 10. Meet the readers
www.bookaid.org/schools 2

Jameelah’s story

My name is Jameelah and I am eleven years old. I was
born in Sudan, but there was a war, and lots of
fighting, and my sister Deka and I had to leave with
my mum. My dad was killed in the fighting. We live
in a refugee camp in the north of Uganda, with many
other families.

Every morning, I get up very early and go with my big
sister Deka to collect water for our family. We often
spend a long time waiting to fill our buckets at the
well, as there are long queues. When we get home,
our mum starts to make breakfast, and Deka and I go
out to find firewood. We must walk a long way, as there are lots of people
collecting wood and not many trees nearby. Its hard work and very tiring, but
we have to find wood to make a fire to cook on and keep us warm at night.

When we get home, we eat some maize porridge for breakfast and go to
school. The school building is quite small, and doesn’t have many teachers,
and there are around 80 children in each class. For lessons, we sit on benches
or on the floor and share our school books. I really enjoy reading books, but
we could not carry any when we escaped, so I am glad that I can read at
school instead. There are lots of people here and it’s very crowded and dusty.

I wish we could go back to our home, but it is not safe yet.

Later, I play games with my friends from home. I only see them after school as
they live a long way away on the other side of the camp. Then I go back home
to help my mum to cook, while Deka sweeps. After we have eaten, we often
sit around the fire and tell each other stories about our home until its time for
bed.

Book Aid International – Class resources 10. Meet the readers
www.bookaid.org/schools 3

Mary’s story - from Zambia Open Community Schools

My name is Mary, and I am an orphan. I go to school at Linda Open
Community School and am in year 7. My parents died when I was 4 years old;
first my mother and then my father two months later. I was staying with my
grandmother but she also died when I was 10 years old. So I started working in
our neighbour’s field. But a teacher from Linda school knew me so I started
school at Linda Open Community School. The school also gave me clothes and
food. Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) also gives me exercise books
and other things to use.

I have been at the ZOCS school for four years. I do not think I could have
continued school if there was no community school.

My favourite book is Sugar Mummy by Beauty N’guni. It taught me not to get
lifts from strangers because you do not know what can happen to you.

The first book I read was on HIV prevention in school. It was interesting to
know how you can prevent AIDS and STIs. As children we need more books
about AIDS and other diseases so that we can tell our friends and family. It is
difficult to get different books because they are expensive. I have only two
books at home.

Book Aid International – Class resources 10. Meet the readers
www.bookaid.org/schools 4

Juma’s Story — Zanzibar

In simple words I would say that books have changed my life. Now I know myself
much better than before. I know where I come from, who I am and where I am
going.

One of the books which changed me is called ‘Mineboy’ by Peter Abrahams. It
describes the life of native Africans in South Africa during apartheid. This book made
me aware of how my fellow Africans suffered under this racial regime. It made me
say to myself that if I have the chance to be a leader I will do my level best to provide
equality to my people.

Another book which also influenced my life is a book called ‘Three suitors one
husband’. In this book, the author portrays how African women were despised by
men, for example one character said: ‘You women do what you are told’. This
comment is not good because all human beings are created equal. We see how the
main character Juliette gets engaged without her consent. The education she got from
school helped her to realise her rights and then she refused a marriage to a man she
didn’t love. See how education through books can change the life of Juliette and
other African women?

Book Aid International – Class resources 10. Meet the readers
www.bookaid.org/schools 5