Annual Report Mureke Dusome October 2020 – July 2021

The program builds the capacity of School General Assembly Committees to mobilize parents and community volunteer Literacy Champions, who organize community reading clubs and other literacy promotion activities. The initiative is being implemented by Save the Children and its partner, Umuhuza, in communities surrounding public and government-aided primary schools nationwide. The program has been in operation since 2016 and has included partnerships with Urunza DC (2016-2018) and Uwezo Youth Empowerment (2020-2021). In FY2021, Mureke Dusome achieved several key milestones. The program reached 1,367 participants, including District Education Directors, Sector Education Officers, Head Teachers, and School General Assembly Committee members, through Sector Level Council meetings. Additionally, 27 community librarians were trained in Eastern and Southern Provinces, and 173,781 Kinyarwanda books and Karame magazines were distributed to reading clubs in various districts. The program also monitored 14 community libraries, including four newly established libraries, and provided remote monitoring and home visits to 80,662 children. Furthermore, 851 Literacy Champions and Community Education Workers were coached and mentored through phone calls and field visits, and 226 Community Education Workers were trained on Income Generating Activities. In terms of community engagement, the program reached 6,750 parents through Reading Awareness Workshops facilitated by FBO volunteers in various districts. Additionally, 3,698 children with disabilities were identified in the five identified districts, and 30 children with disabilities were reached through remote monitoring and home visits. The program's impact was also evident in the increased participation of community members in literacy activities. The number of people who borrowed books from the four new community libraries was 912, and the number of learners reached through remote monitoring and field visits was 80,662. The program's success can be attributed to the strong partnerships established with local communities, schools, and community leaders. The Vice Mayor of Rulindo District, Gasanganwa Claire, expressed the district's commitment to supporting the program's goals, stating, "Our district is ready to engage everyone to ensure children adopt a culture of reading." Overall, Mureke Dusome's FY2021 achievements demonstrate the program's effectiveness in improving literacy outcomes among children through community-based initiatives. The program's focus on building partnerships between schools and the broader community has led to increased participation and engagement in literacy activities, ultimately contributing to the development of a culture of reading among children.