Our first Munno program began with our Munno Literacy Program. Our sessions are led by our Munno Director, Ssentamu Kim, and run by our wide selection of university student volunteers, school teachers, and community members. We regularly have 50 to 75 children in attendance each session with 8 to 10 volunteers. Each session begins with prayer and interactive introductions between the children and volunteers. This is followed by some games that all of the children can participate in, which helps to grow the relationship between the children and the volunteers. The core of each session involves focusing on grade specific word programs and practicing reading skills. We have acquired a collection of books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials in both Luganda and English to give the children exposure to materials these rural families can’t afford or have access to. We break them into small groups based on reading level and work on sight words, fluency, and reading in both Luganda and English. We are constantly challenging each child to their ability, while making the session interactive and fun! We always try to end with a small snack, should our raised finances be enough to provide it. For many of these kids, the treat of a little food or drink we provide supplements their one meal a day that they receive at home.
In the secondary schools in the communities we are mentoring senior students that will evolve into good citizens acting as examples and guides to the primary students on how to effect positive change in the community by solving issues as opposed to becoming the problem in society. Furthermore, we offer career guidance as we invite professionals and experts in various fields of work to inspire the young and growing youth during our sessions. College students are highly encouraged to join our teams to pass knowledge concerning courses of study/majors. In return we avail them possible internships with senior workers because they have much to learn from the professionals and elderly who have the biggest role in society in nurturing the unemployed with skills required in the job markets.
We are in the process, with the help of educators around the globe, of writing a strong curriculum and teaching strategy using The Literacy Continuum (by Fountas and Pinnell) and The Reading Strategies (by Jennifer Seravallo) books. Our volunteers also use various activities using the “100 Magic Sight Words” program to engage the children and help them to develop their reading and understanding of the english language.