– unveils expanded literacy programmes

JANUARY 2026 marks a significant milestone for the Literary Coven GY Book Club, which is celebrating two years of steady growth and community impact while announcing the launch of new initiatives aimed at strengthening literacy across Guyana.
Founded in 2024 by finance professional and community advocate Devica Uditram, the Book Club began as a small circle of women brought together by a shared love of reading.
Over time, it has evolved into an active literary community committed to education, inclusion, and social development.
Uditram’s broader community work has previously earned her national recognition, including the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award and the 30 Under 30 Changemaker Award in 2025.
The book club emerged at a time when global digital movements such as BookTok and Bookstagram have reignited interest in reading, connecting readers and writers across borders.
Inspired by this renewed enthusiasm, Uditram sought to create a similar sense of connection locally, blending the energy of online book communities with tangible, community-based action.
From its inception, Literary Coven GY has focused not only on reading, but also on fostering relationships, mutual support, empathy, and personal growth among its members.
Over the past two years, the Book Club has established itself as a growing presence within Guyana’s literary landscape. Guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4, Quality Education, the group has organised book-donation drives for marginalised communities, hosted virtual book clubs for women and children, and actively engaged local authors to encourage homegrown literary talent.
In 2025, meetings featured Guyanese authors Sarika Prasad and Jasmaine Payne, reinforcing the club’s commitment to providing platforms for local voices.
Building on this foundation, 2026 represents a turning point for the organisation with the official launch of the Open Pages Literacy Project, the book club’s community development arm.
The initiative is designed to promote a sustainable culture of reading across age groups and will introduce four core programmes throughout the year, with plans for expansion.
Among the new offerings is the Children’s Reading Budding Programme, a virtual after-school initiative that pairs mentors with children aged six to 12 to support reading development and comprehension.
The project also includes a Children’s Book Mailing List, which will provide parents and guardians with age-appropriate reading resources for children between six and 14 years old.
Several initiatives introduced in 2025 will also return this year. The Children’s Summer Book Club, which attracted more than 100 participants in its inaugural run, is scheduled from July 4 to August 15, 2026, with the aim of keeping children engaged in reading during the school break and reducing learning loss.
In addition, the Open Book Club, held in observance of International Women’s Day, will take place on March 29, 2026, with registration currently open.
All programmes under the Open Pages Literacy Project are offered free of cost, reflecting the organisation’s emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. The Book Club maintains that books are not only educational tools, but are also powerful drivers of empathy, connection, and positive social change.
Alongside its community outreach, Literary Coven GY is also expanding its digital presence with the launch of The Coven Chronicles, a new book-focused podcast set to debut this year. The podcast will feature discussions on group and individual reads, book recommendations, book-to-screen adaptations, and new releases, extending the club’s conversations to a wider audience.
Members of the public, as well as potential collaborators and sponsors, are invited to engage with Literary Coven GY Book Club through Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, or by emailing theliterarycovengy@gmail.com