Our Enchi Librarian, Prince Opoku, with young readers.

Medical educators at University of Ghana have identified reading comprehension in English as one of the biggest issues preventing rural students from passing their entrance exams for undergraduate science. A major hurdle for these youngsters is books are at a premium. Most graduate from high school with no public library, and having never owned a book of their own, (lessons are memorized and recited). We have tackled this issue with the Yonkofa Public Library concept, with our first library now open in Enchi Ghana. Two more sites have been dedicated in Eikwe Awutu and Bolgatanga, where shelves have been built and we are stocking with books.

Through the Libraries, we are creating Yonkofa Book Clubs where every child gets a copy of the same book and a trained educator reads it with them - leading discussions to increase reading comprehension in English. We started with Harry Potter. This is a fun way to learn, and engage with written language. Most kids speak at least three languages, but this type of reading opportunity is rare. Each child gets to keep their book, and we are delighted to know that many are reading them to their younger siblings.

We would like to start of Friends of the Library group for each or all of the Libraries, so that U.S. volunteers could keep in touch with the librarians, work on new programs, collect books, and keep track of inventory. Please email info@yonkofa.org if you are interested. In the meantime, we have a link for shipping boxes (under 50 pounds) to Yonkofa for $15. Please email us before shipping to let us know what you are sending. But in general, we are looking for children’s books (non-religious), books on Africa, reference books for school assignments, “how to” books for all trades, books on soccer, science books, books of 30 or more of the same title that can be read in a group, and books that will inspire a love of reading.