This International Literacy Day, EduSpots is launching a Ghana-wide book drive with the aim to collect 10,000 new and lightly used books for 10,000 learners at the EduSpots learning spaces in underserved communities.
Since 2015, EduSpots has worked with over 300 local volunteers to create and sustain transformative STEM and literacy opportunities through 50 community-led innovative library hubs named ‘Spots’, impacting 15,000 learners each year.
Through the spaces, trained local volunteers also lead clubs for learners in early years literacy, creative literacy for JHS years, STEM and sustainability education, and in girls’ empowerment, with around 2000 students enrolled. Volunteers are supported with monthly challenges to engage students in creative, fun and team-based learning, with literacy development at the core.
In celebration of International Literacy Day 2023 on the 8th September, EduSpots is requesting donations of new or lightly used storybooks, non-fiction books or relevant text books during the month of September.
Storybooks are often scarce in the communities that EduSpots works with. In many cases, children are learning to read from the chalkboard, without wider reading material to spark their imaginations and develop their literacy skills. Dennis, a learner in Abofour commented, “I just want access to books so that I can learn independently from my teacher.”
Books by African authors are a particular point of focus. Adam Nabila, a volunteer in Kalpohin and a Spot Coordinator with EduSpots commented, “Through reading books by African authors, one can see African customs, traditions and practices directly expressed in the story which resonates with readers.”
To empower young readers, you can donate your books at drop-off points at Avis Car Hire, Sweet Aroma Prints, and at all of the Spots listed here: www.eduspots.org/projects. You can also make donations at www.justgiving.com/page/thebigeduspotsbookdrive2023 or on mobile money at +233593949413.
Spot volunteers are also leading local collections, as part of the leadership curriculum developed by the EduSpots team, designed to help local leaders sustain the impact of their libraries and activities.
As part of the International Literacy Day celebrations, EduSpots are also hosting an online forum event with Ghanaian authors, exploring the role of authors as advocates for literacy. Tune in via Eventbrite to hear from Selassie Mensah, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Portia Dery, and Nic Ayikwei. You can attend the live online event on the 8th September at 7pm GMT here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eduspots-international-literacy-day-panel-session-tickets-715238516657?aff=oddtdtcreator
Since 2015, EduSpots has distributed over 130,000 books to the Spots already, also developing its own in-house storybooks including the Kwame’s Adventures Series, set in the Spot communities, and other phonics books, relating to the learners’ local context.
For more information about this drive, or EduSpots work more widely, please email info@eduspots.org or visit www.eduspots.org.
