Written by Mercy Magak, CFK Operations Assistant, with data analysis from Huijoo Shon, CFK Africa Peacock Fellow.
Every other Saturday from 2 to 4pm, girls gather for a book club session at CFK Africa’s headquarters in Kibera. Committed energy fills the room. Sometimes you can hear conversations and sometimes you can hear laughter, but the intention to learn is always palpable.
Most of the girls are young mothers in CFK Africa’s Funzo Project who are juggling both school and caregiving, and it is their first time ever participating in a book club. CFK Africa’s new REaDS (Reading Empowers and Drives Success) Book Club offers something that is rare for them, a safe space to connect on motherhood, education, and a shared interest in reading.
Some arrive with their children, holding toys or scribbling with crayons on nearby mats. Others come alone, using this time as a special opportunity for personal time, leaving their children at home.
Regardless of how they show up, they each come for the same purpose: to increase their reading skills and to learn from one another.
Listening first: what we learned from listening to the girls
Before diving into reading our first book, our CFK team took time to listen to the girls and understand their reading habits. We conducted a short pre-assessment to provide insight into the girls’ reading challenges and their aspirations. Some girls who read regularly had small home libraries, enjoyed sharing what they learned, and practiced journaling. Other girls hadn’t developed the habit yet, not because they lacked interest, but because they struggled with access to books, time, and structure. They were shy to discuss books out loud with their peers.
Across the board, girls said they struggled with unfamiliar or complex vocabulary and needed more support with advancing their reading. Their feedback highlighted a need for accessible learning resources like dictionaries and vocabulary-building exercises. We also learned about the importance of parental involvement in developing a culture of reading at home.
That’s when the vision for the REaDS Book Club became clearer. It could be more than just a bi-monthly book club, but it could be an entry point for long-term literacy and learning.
Culture of reading: a reading space that works for the girls
With their feedback, we shaped a space that works for these young mothers. CFK provides journals, pens, and reflection prompts for the girls to consider as they read. We incorporate fun vocabulary games to build teamwork, curiosity, and confidence in reading. We also offer time for both quiet reading and group discussions.
The presence of children has not been seen as a distraction but rather is a reminder that learning and motherhood can exist together. For those who cannot always join in person, we provide take-home reading kits and text check-ins to keep them connected. As the girls are also completing required reading for their high school classes, we added summaries and review materials for those who are struggling with their school literature.
The book club is transforming the young mothers’ reading habits. Girls who once hesitated to speak are now sharing their reflections with confidence. They are building a reading culture that feels personal and sustainable for their circumstances. One participant, Faith, shared, “The program has increased my interest in reading novels and storybooks.” Another, Binti, shared that the program has “enhanced her eloquence.”
The power of author engagement – A life-changing author visit
In June, the girls experienced a powerful moment when we hosted Shanna Ngetich, the author of Transformed. Shanna, a young author from the United States and a high school student herself, visited CFK Africa for a Q&A session with the girls who are currently reading her book. Many girls came in nervous and unsure of what to expect from the discussion but left feeling heard and seen.
Shanna did not just talk about her book – she listened to our girls with intent. She made space for their thoughts, unpacked the complex themes of the book, and reminded them that their voices mattered.
But perhaps what stayed with them most were the small, handwritten notes Shanna inscribed in their books.
Lines like “I can tell God will do amazing things through you and your story,” and “Your interest in reading is inspirational for me” became more than kind words. One girl whispered, holding up her signed copy, “This is what I’ve been telling myself. You writing it has just rubberstamped it.” Another note read, “Thank you for reading this as well as you have.” A simple sentence, but one that validated their effort to show up, weekend after weekend, open and eager to grow.
These simple, sincere notes sparked fresh motivation. Some of the quieter book club members began sharing reflections out loud. Others went back to reread earlier chapters with new insight. The book, once a distant story, had become something personal, something that spoke to their own experiences. “I can now read with better understanding,” shared participant Binti. “Shanna was very brave. She started writing as a girl and followed her own dreams, which inspires me to follow my own.”
The Future of ReaDS
Looking ahead, the ReaDS book club is dreaming even bigger. We are exploring a small lending library for the girls, take-home kits with vocabulary cards and journaling prompts, as well as themed reading months built around personal development topics like identity resilience and purpose. Creative writing workshops are also in the pipeline, aimed at giving the girls tools to tell their own stories on their own terms.
The simple act of reading has gone a long way. Through the ReaDS book club, the girls are healing, learning, and slowly becoming the authors of their lives.