Chepsigot Secondary School hosted a holiday reading program from April 8th to 19th, 2025. The program gave students a unique opportunity to engage in reading and digital activities during their school break. This first-of-its-kind program saw attendance rise from 18 to 51 students between week one and two. Most were primary school learners from the surrounding areas. With many participants experiencing a functional library for the first time, the program offered individual orientations and discussions on book searching and retrieval, which fostered a highly engaging environment.
The program featured a variety of activities aimed at promoting literacy and digital skills. Daily reading sessions encouraged students to explore diverse books and discuss their favourite stories. Digital storytelling and Smartboard utilization sessions stimulated creative expression amongst the students, while introductory sessions on computers and gaming broadened their technological skills. Despite challenges like heavy rains and the farming season, the program made strong progress. Some students couldn’t attend regularly—or arrived late—because they were helping their families with farm work and household duties. Even so, strong support from the school administration, the area chief, and parents helped ensure successful outreach. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by the students also played a key role in making the program a meaningful achievement.
The success of this program shows what’s possible, and why initiatives like this must reach every school, not just a select few. Every child, in every corner of the continent, deserves the chance to build literacy, think critically, and express their creativity. Expanding this work is not just a priority—it’s a Pan-African imperative. This can serve as a practical example for others to build on—helping more students thrive and shape the future of Africa.