Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A dedicated children’s book corner has been established at Rujeko Library in Masvingo, aimed at fostering a love for reading among young learners and instilling a strong reading culture from an early age.
The Children’s Corner project is being spearheaded by the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust in partnership with Masvingo City Council, with support from Book Aid International. The initiative has been boosted by a generous donation of over 3 000 children’s books, providing young readers with a wealth of stories and learning opportunities.
Speaking at the official opening of the Children’s Corner at Rujeko Library, Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust director Mr Michael Moyo said Masvingo was the ideal location for the project, given the presence of a well-established library and professional librarians. He said a corner at the library was refurbished and upgraded into a children’s corner.
Mr Moyo said the project will be monitored for one year before being officially handed over to the Masvingo City Council.
“We celebrate more than the opening of a space; we celebrate the creation of opportunities, the nurturing of dreams, and the building of a future where every child has access to knowledge, imagination, and growth. As a trust, we have always believed that literacy is the foundation upon which communities thrive. Literacy is a key catalyst for development.
“For us, every book placed in a child’s hands is a seed planted for empowerment, confidence, and resilience. It is therefore with immense joy that we witness the realisation of this project, which places children at the very heart of community development.
“When we invest in children, we are not only meeting the needs of today but also shaping the future of our communities,” he said.
Mr Moyo said the trust remains committed to creating inclusive spaces that make literacy accessible to all, whether in rural or urban areas, and whether in print or digital formats.
“The Children’s Corner is yet another milestone in our mission to promote lifelong learning and empower communities through literacy,” he added.
Masvingo District Schools inspector, Mr Ishmael Chigaba, said the project will create a safe and resource-rich environment for children to read, play, and learn.
“As educators, we know that the foundation of all learning is literacy. A child who reads is a child who can learn, question, and grow. While our classrooms are the primary engines of education, the journey of learning cannot be confined to the school bell. It must extended into the home and the community.
“This Rujeko Children’s Corner is the vital bridge between formal education and lifelong curiosity. It is, in essence, an extension of every classroom in Rujeko,” he said.
Mr Chigaba commended the partners involved in the project, noting that it will significantly enhance the education sector. He urged staff from schools in the area to strengthen their ties with Rujeko Library, encouraging them to organise class visits and motivate learners to make full use of the library’s resources. – @DubeMatutu.
