Reading Adventures: Engaging Children In Local Libraries through Reading Clubs

by with No Comment Programs

The theme for National Library Week (April 4-10, 2021), “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services.

As the first library to open in the area, WiLI Community Library and Hub is constantly expanding to offer opportunities for everyone to explore new worlds and become their best selves through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. With that, we only thought it appropriate to kickstart National Library Week through a Reading Club for Children!

What is in a Library?

A library nourishes and sustains a community. It’s more than just a building; it is a means to bolster education, fight unemployment and to create social cohesion. Libraries are essential to a democratic society as they make the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality. They are spaces of tolerance to all races, genders, classes and ages. They provide access to computers, free space, safer environments, learning materials and books, a quiet space for school children to do their homework and most importantly a team of valuable, knowledgeable librarians – which WiLI hires on a full time basis.

According to Hart, G (2004) in her research article, Public libraries in South Africa: agents or victims of educational change?, the five most common reason why school children visit libraries are:

  • To work on a project
  • To sit in the library to do homework
  • To use library materials to complete an assignment
  • To bring back or borrow a book.
  • For social reasons

The habit of reading never really gets ingrained in childhood. Our kids love leafing through books as toddlers, looking at the pictures. They may even enjoy reading as early elementary schoolers. But reading is hard work, and life offers so many other ways to entertain themselves that early reading often seems more like work than play. They never get to that delicious place where reading a good book is more fun than almost anything.

So how can you inspire a lasting love of reading?

We are very happy with our read and paint workshop! We’ve incorporated a couple elements to inspire a lasting love of reading: visiting the library and starting them off young! 

Business Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs

by with 4 Comments Programs

Business Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs

We know what it’s like to start and grow a business, which is why we’ve developed training that delivers results. After all, knowledge is the best investment you can make in your business!

About half the nation’s population are Females of which a good percentage engage in entrepreneurial activities of the informal sector because they lack relevant skills to increase their potentials and further break into the formal sector.

Our business skills training features:

  • Practical, applicable skills that are 100% relevant to the successful operation of a small business.
  • A range of workshop topics known to be pivotal to small business success
  • Materials developed by industry experts, often featuring real-life storytellers, informative panelists or inspirational spotlights.
  • Different learning approaches including live workshops.
  • Working professionals.
  • We offer training for women entrepreneurs to help them learn and develop essential business skills to help them succeed in business.
  • We host free seminars and workshops – and 99% of participants rate our training as directly applicable to their business!
  • Our workshops are designed to educate and are geared towards women business owners’ learning styles.

There are three main objectives:

  1. There is a strong correlation between capacity building and skill development of Female entrepreneurs on their socio-economic empowerment
  2. Skills development and k=not knowing are the impediment toward building the capacity of female entrepreneurs
  3. Females can transfer the skills to others

Capacity Building and Skills Development

The importance of capacity building and skill development among the people of a society cannot be overemphasized. A nation cannot attain development if she neglects or refuses to put an impressive commitment on her human capital development. Capacity building is therefore, salient to the development of the individual and the nation at large.

Majority of folks are unable to cross the ladder of having an idea and actually executing on the idea. More so, as majority of them operate with little or no formal education, technical and expansion of skills
training. 

With your help, WiliAfrica can build capacity and develop skills which could enhance the productivity of female entrepreneurs.