Tanya Tells a Tale

Let me get straight to today’s highlight. One of our small and lovely listeners became a story teller today. In fact, it became really quite an infectious condition! Tanya from Groombridge Primary School volunteered the quickest [lightening fast and there was a good deal of sighing and heavy breaths out after she was selected] when I asked if someone would like to read me a story for a change. She chose a local story by college press, much worn and much used, about a young girl called Sibitho who lived with her grandmother in a rural village and then had to move to town to finish her schooling. It was very touching and gave us so much to talk about afterwards. Amazing Grandma stories were shared.

In the general reading session there were 3 main books shared.  Jeanette read to 18 rapt children Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile. It is ALWAYS a winner. Quentin Blake’s illustrations are just fabulous.

Then we had a change over and I read the wonderful Mama Mabena’s Magic (I only have a few left from the Cambridge University Press Little Library Series). In this one we learned to mix colour. Mama Mabena provides to be both a creative and compassionate character and when things go wrong for the two little girls in the story, Mama Mabena helps then see the wonder in it all. This led to a hugely entertaining set of stories from the children about some of the mistakes they have made. First we hear of a broken dining room window (crikey), then a broken TV (Amaiwe!!). One tiny little boy got quite excited and with sparkly eyes stuck his hand up and grinned at me toothlessly and announced,

‘I have broken things too.’

‘What?’ said I.

‘My toys!' he announced so proudly. 

'and what do you do when you break them? I ask incredulously. 

'I run and run and run' came the reply.  They say a destructive child is a happy child……..

Finally we brought the reading to a close with Gregory Cool. A tale about experienceing new places, making friends and fitting in. Gregory visits the Caribbean island of Tobago, which is far away from his native England. It takes him time to adjust and to make friends with his cousin Lennox, but he does and they have a lot of fun. 

We still need help!

We have more children than ever attending and have doubled our story teller numbers from 2 to 4 this week. Wish there were more boys attending the sessions though!

We are also hoping to go LARGE and move to another Harare City Branch Library before the end of the term. Jeanette Quinlan and myself are joined by Chipo Nzonzo (the art of possibility) and Rose Bhowa (trained teacher and mother of 3 young children, all under 8 years old). Thuthani Moyo is still reading at the main  library in town. 

I have heard it said that if you want to be an effective social entrepreneur then focus on the good people who are doing good things. Good advice and well taken as I have approached my Body and Soul Gym class and am hoping this fabulous bunch will also expand the programme a little further by calling through their network for volunteers.

Oh, before I forget, the library has some awesome merchandise for sale, great gifts to give and very, very affordable. To support the cause and keep these libraries OPEN I purchased 2 beautiful drinking mugs at $3 each. There are still some in stock. Visit your local library today as each branch has some.

There are t-shirts and hats as well. Groovy!