Earlier this month, students from our program schools in Nakuru and Baringo marked World Book Day with a celebration of everything books have to offer.

As part of our Let’s Learn project, students had the opportunity to visit local libraries and explore new books — they also showcased their own artwork, and took part in public speaking, all in the name of building a love of books and encouraging more reading. It was a joyful day for everyone who participated.

Why early learning matters

Let’s Learn is focused on developing early childhood interests and skills in reading, writing and maths, starting with our youngest learners in pre-primary classes. Developing a passion for learning at an early age can have a significant impact on a child’s likelihood of completing school. This is the idea behind the project: to build confidence early and support meaningful learning outcomes as students progress through primary school and beyond.

According to UNICEF, children who attend pre-primary education are more than twice as likely to be on track with literacy and numeracy skills, and more than one million neural connections form every second during a child’s early years. Those early foundations matter, which is why we are proud that the transition rate for pupils moving from pre-primary into Standard 1 has increased by 11% across our schools since 2018.

So They Can’s Let’s Learn project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Awareness days like World Book Day are a valuable way to bring this mission to life outside the classroom, giving students the opportunity to celebrate books and reading in a way that is engaging and hands-on. Watching our students step out of the classroom to explore libraries, share their artwork and speak with confidence in front of their peers is a powerful reminder of how a love of learning, nurtured from an early age, can inspire a child throughout their educational journey.