Motivating primary school children to read
Kids Read aims to encourage a love of reading in young children, with the long-term goal of improving academic performance, language and critical thinking.
Sponsored by HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd and Affiliates, the project takes place across 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and in Pakistan. HSBC employees volunteer to work with children at community events, encouraging them to read (in English) for pleasure.
Kids Read story so far:
In Egypt, we have:
- worked with 2,000 children across 12 schools in Cairo, Hurghada, Mansoura, Port Said, Hosh Issa and Banha.
- expanded the fiction sections of libraries in each participating school, providing about 50 titles per school and accompanying lesson plans to engage students.
- developed the primary reading training skills of 40 HSBC employees to make them effective advocates of reading in schools.
- held five community events to increase parents’ understanding of how to support their children’s reading. These events have involved storytelling and arts and crafts activities for the students.
"HSBC Bank Egypt staff have shown their enthusiasm and commitment in the Kids Read programme since our partnership with the British Council started in 2011. They believe in the important role they play to encourage children to make reading a fun habit."
Andrew Long, Deputy Chairman and CEO HSBC Egypt