Uganda suffers from a low reading culture. As said “If you want to hide something from an African put it in a book… Africans don’t like to read.” This is very deep, and unfortunately, very true! The disinterest of students to read beyond what they need for examination in order to get the certificate is a characteristic of reading culture. Secondly, the libraries we have in Uganda report low levels of visitation and use. However, the infrastructures especially for UPEs are also not conducive to learning and teaching environments.

Rotary International District 9213 under the leadership of our District Governor Hon Dr. Mike Kenedy Sebalu spearheaded a life-changing program called the Basic Education and Literacy Enhancing Program (BELP) for the rotary year 2022/2023. BELEP aims to empower the young generation by creating a culture of reading and enhancing children’s access to literacy in Uganda by equipping teachers and learners.

The club identified the Uganda Youth Aid Nursery and Primary School located in Mbuya that began in 1971 with 20 pupils and currently has 820 pupils (405 boys and 415 girls). 350 pupils are orphans and fully sponsored by the school. It identifies orphans and underprivileged children around the community of Mbuya and lights their embers of education through free education at only a maintenance cost of 10,000 shillings.

On July 1st, 2022, the club participated in the D.E.A.R. day which stands for “Drop Everything and Read,”. It was a national celebration of reading designed to remind families to make reading a priority activity in their lives. The club decided to take up the school as its project and is looking at renovating the classrooms and creating a library.