The World Book Day also referred to as the World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on 23rd April. The year for 2019 being Open Books Open Minds, Discover Kikuyu, Ecopro initiative, 9O2 Street in conjunction with other youth led initiatives within the community organized World Book Day celebrations.
Despite the heavy showers experienced early in the morning, the team was up early at the Ondiri swamp where the day began with a tree planting exercise. The team pulled through the weather and managed to plant over 300 trees in this valuable wetland. With the onset of the rains, the exercise was also to ensure that seedlings that did not survive the dry season were replaced.
After the tree planting, the team headed to Jeevanjee Gardens in Kikuyu Town where everything was set up and ready for the World Book Day. Community residents streamed in and out for the better part of the afternoon dropping off books, exchanging books as well as learning more about the different organizing partners for the event and the work they carry out in the community.
The residents were also able to purchase some indoor plants, craft items and art pieces- all work done by young people in Kikuyu! The event was put together with the support of the MCA Kikuyu Ward, the MP Kikuyu Constituency as well as the Sub County Administrator Kikuyu Constituency.
The greater vision and drive behind the World Book Day event was to push for a community library within Kikuyu as the town currently lacks one and to collect books to be donated to a needy school within the Constituency. The support received by community residents was overwhelming and at the end of the day over 500 books were collected.
A lot of individuals also expressed the desire to continue donating books and due to this the book drive will continue for the rest of the year; drop off points for the books will remain Jooi Centre Management Office, PCEA Kikuyu Township Church and 9O2 Street (Above Postbank Building).
Thank you for your support and looking forward to making our community better and more interactive!