SCORES of children, between the ages of 4 to 14, were, on Saturday, encouraged to read aloud and have confidence in themselves at Voice Read Aloud Fest hosted at the Imam Bacchus Library, Affiance, Essequibo Coast, in Region Two.
During the opening of the fest, president and co-founder of Voice, Deanna Walcott, said that the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Voice, is happy to partner with Imam Bacchus and Sons Company to make the Fest a success. Voice group was formed in 2018, with a mission to effectively hone and develop communication skills among youths whilst inspiring and empowering them to become better-engaged citizens and influential leaders in the Guyanese society.
She said children can only be influenced by equipping them with tools to enhance their communication skills. The fest, therefore, will allow children to read aloud and to have fun at the same time.
Director of Imam Bacchus and Sons Company, Mr. Samad Baksh, said his company is happy to be associated with Voice in promoting literacy amongst children. Baksh said that persons should use their voice without fear and ensure that whatever sounds come out of their mouths should be pleasing and satisfying. He said when the sounds are not desirable, then it is called noise.
Another member of Voice, Rei-Launya Amsterdam, said that every year Lit-World.com celebrates “Read Aloud Day” across the world and, as such, Voice group has adopted the same. This year, two physical activities will he held–one in Essequibo and one in Georgetown– in observance of the day. She said the fest encouraged children to read stories and to promote literacy, hence build their public-speaking abilities.
The group, in observance of the day last year, held an Elsie Marks Debating and Storytelling competition at Queenstown. Voice members are also encouraging persons to like their Facebook and Twitter pages and help promote literacy by tagging them in videos that have persons reading. The activity was also supported by a Peace Corps volunteer assigned to Region Two. Every Saturday the Peace Corps usually conducts “Reading Hour” at the Imam Bacchus Library at Affiance.
The Voice group is promoting, “Stand, Speak and Debate”.
