Small Steps Reading Clubs

In June 2016, Shelter Academy of Light established Small Steps Reading Clubs, an initiative based on partnership with government primary schools in Bubutu, Uganda. The purpose of SSRC is to provide vital supplementary literacy training for primary school students in rural Uganda, where overwhelmed, under-supported public schools fail to prepare students for the mandatory national exam required for admittance to secondary school. The lack of promotion to this next level of education has led to a high primary school dropout rate, teenage pregnancy increase, and the perpetuation of the vicious cycle of poverty and ill-education in the region.

During its first year of operation, Small Steps Reading Clubs partnered with Bukhabusi and Buwasu Primary Schools, establishing after-school reading clubs at both locations. After the success of these two initial clubs, SSRC established partnerships with Musiye and Sibanga Church of Uganda Primary Schools in 2022 and Maala and Nemba Primary Schools in 2023.

Through SSRC, students are encouraged to grow into confident readers through access to books and additional literacy instruction, promoting reading comprehension skills. In addition to its educational objectives, SSRC ensures that the often impoverished children who participate receive an additional healthy snack or small meal to supplement their nutritional needs. 

Since 2016, Small Steps Reading Clubs has expanded, adding an organized sports component to the clubs by instituting a soccer program for boys and a netball program for girls. In alignment with our goal of supporting the well-rounded development of students, more extracurricular activities have been encouraged, including creative writing and fiber arts.