The initiative to provide increased access to literary materials for children across Guyana is still in the process of negotiations to facilitate the transport of materials needed for the project in Guyana. So says Coordinator of Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG), Mr. Dimitri Nicholson.

The venture is being undertaken via a partnership between YCG and the overseas based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Change 1 Child, whose mandate is to inspire a love for learning in children through reading, so as to empower them to reach their full potential.

Change 1 Child is a US-based non-profit organization with a global vision and the partnership is aimed at offering valuable support to communities where children cannot participate fully and meaningfully in school life.

According to Nicholson, the partnership will see works being done to enable youths in Guyana to contribute to their country through community development projects.

Over the coming months, the partnership will see collaborative efforts to:

* Open 5 book clubs around Guyana (both in the remote locations and in Georgetown);

* Provide all of the book clubs with reading materials on a monthly basis, which will cater for children in early childhood grades (ages 3-9) in several schools in Guyana;

* Work to get volunteers from the communities to become reading partners or reading buddies to these children; and

* Work with YCG to give children in disadvantages areas school supplies, shoes and other necessities that will make their lives better and allow them to be successful in school.

The YCG coordinator stated that most of the leg-work has been completed and the organisations are in constant contact to ascertain the needs of Guyanese children as it relates to literacy and the mandate of Change 1 Child.

Apart for the other areas of work that the project will facilitate, Change 1 Child is committed to visiting Guyana once a year to volunteer in the book clubs and in other areas pertaining the children where there is a great need.

Founder of Change 1 Child, Ms. Simone Adjei, in an recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, had affirmed , “If just one child is enriched, encouraged and motivated to read more and develop a love for learning through this initiative, then we have done our job.”

She also pointed out that the initiation of the literacy programme in Guyana is an effort to provide “New help” for children’s education.

Change 1 Child not only functions in Guyana, but also in Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Indonesia, India and the Philippines, among other countries.

In a recent statement, Change 1 Child said ten of the more important reasons that parents or guardians should read to their children are:

* Your children know you love them when you hold them and give them this attention;

* Reading to children encourages them to become readers;

* Children’s books today are so well-written that they are fun even for adults;

* Illustrations in children’s books rank with the best, giving children a lifelong appreciation for beautiful art;

* Books are one great way of passing on your values;

* Books will help your children’s imaginations soar;

* Until children learn to read themselves, they will think you create magic;

* Listening to stories will help develop your child’s attention span; and

* When you give them this gift, you will create memories that last a lifetime.