Beatrice supports reading on school tablets, Kenyan Coast
The role of ASb Champions and why they are essential
African Storybook now boasts over 4 000 unique picture storybooks and 8 000 translations or adaptations on its website (www.africanstorybook.org ). All reflect local contexts and are published across 240 African Languages. All are openly licensed. ASb’s Reader and Maker Apps, which provide a library in one’s pocket and a publisher in one’s pocket, can be used offline. The Saide ASb team works hard to ensure that these amazing resources reach marginalise communities. One important strategy is identifying and supporting potential Champions who are passionate about using ASb for literacy development. These champions are needed at home, in the community, in schools and libraries, as well as at local and national education departments and literacy development initiatives.
Whether they are teachers, librarians, academics or education activists, they recognise the importance of having sufficient storybooks in African languages familiar to children. They understand that ASb’s open licence publishing model makes this possible. The Champions actively seek out opportunities to use ASb storybooks for literacy development, enjoyment and imagination among children. Additionally, they introduce others to the ASb resources and provide support for their effective utilisation.
Different Champions utilise different methods: moving from school to school introducing the teachers to ASb tools or taking storybooks to where children happen to be.
Simon, delivers storybooks among nomadic pastoralist children, Turkana, Kenya
Championing literacy amidst busy schedules
Champions demonstrate their passion and commitment by meticulously planning and executing literacy activities, even amidst their busy schedules. They make every effort to remind their communities about the significance of literacy, marking important international observances such as International Literacy Day, celebrated every on September 8th. Whenever they have the opportunity to lead reading sessions and literacy campaigns, they boost children’s confidence through affirmation and support.
Teacher Champion’s poster for her school, Kenya
Dr Sale assists a child to read, Nigeria
Contributing to the storybook collection
Champions, in collaboration with community members, use ASb tools to translate storybooks into local languages that have limited or no existing storybooks in them.
They also use the ASb Maker App to create culturally authentic storybooks and encourage children to do the same, thereby adding their voice to the storybook collection. These Champions share reports of their work that contain valuable feedback. From these reports, the Saide ASb team publishes inspiring examples of how ASb resources are used across various contexts.
Child-publishing on the Maker App, Nigeria
Story published on the Maker App, Malawi
Supporting the Champions
ASb Partner Development Coordinators provide ongoing support to the 27 Champions from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan and Tanzania. This ensures that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to spread the joy of reading. The Coordinators maintain active email communication and WhatsApp groups, fostering a dynamic space for the exchange of ideas, transformation of experiences into strategies, and collaborative problem solving. Champions learn from each other, adapting and evolving their own approaches. The group serves as a source of inspiration and camaraderie. Real-time communication fuels and sustains collaboration.
By sharing success stories with fellow Champions, a vibrant array of achievements emerges. It’s not merely about the books they create, but about creating a continent where our children enjoy engaging with stories that resonate with their own lived context and experience nurturing their imagination through the magic of literacy.
ASb Champions: Catalysts of transformation
ASb Champions serve as catalysts and transformational agents, unlocking the potential of ASb's resources and disseminating them. Providing Champions with data for internet connectivity, along with a diverse collection of locally authored storybooks, ASb taps into the knowledge of the Champions and their communities. The result is a ripple effect that leads to more children reading, more stories being shared, and more cultures being celebrated.
Mimi, reading to children in a tailor’s shop, Nigeria
Reading on Lenovo tablets in school, South Sudan
In 2022, the ASb Team reviewed the Champion Strategy and the findings indicated that Champions:
In conclusion
The ASb Champion Strategy has demonstrated its potential to impact children’s literacy within local communities through the passion, enthusiasm and the diverse perspectives that individual Champions bring to the partnership. Therefore, the Saide ASb Team continues to seek funding collaborations that expand the strategy to more Sub-Saharan African countries. We also invite more individuals to visit www.africanstorybook.org to explore ASb’s storybook collection, guides, apps and examples of how our Champions and partners have utilised the ASb resources. If you are interested in joining our growing community of enthusiastic Champions to promote literacy in your own community and country, please reach out to us!