Kisii County ‘first lady’ Elizabeth Ongwae has encouraged youths to develop a sustainable reading culture to boost development in the country.
Mrs Ongwae said youths need to acquire skills and knowledge needed to acquire the skills needed to engage the world effectively and competitively.
Speaking on Tuesday when she distributed learning materials to five schools in Kitutu Chache South sub-county donated by her office in collaboration with Scope International, Mrs Ongwae urged youths to make reading a hobby for them to be more creative and knowledgeable.
“I urge Kenyans more especially the youths to embrace a reading culture which will help them in future. Our country cannot develop if our children are not well educated,” said Mrs Ongwae.
She urged teachers, parents and guardians to encourage students to work hard saying education is the best investment for the children and that literacy is a necessary ingredient for economic development and poverty reduction.
She said her office in partnership with well-wishers like Scope International will continue providing learning materials to all schools in the county to ensure that children from the community are literate.
The County First Lady who was accompanied by Scope International representative Lilian Kwamboka, area Member of County Assembly Onchonga Maina, County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of education and manpower development John Omwoyo, chief officers David Okebiro and Patrick Lumumba asked youths to shun drug and substance abuse and other habits that can lead to school dropout.
Mrs Ongwae donated books to Omogumo, Kioge, Samugara, Gesangero, Kenyoro primary schools where she also presented success cards to candidates on behalf of Governor James Ongwae ahead of the Kenya Certificate for Primary Education (KCPE) that starts next week.