Pauline Sisters’ Groundbreaking Children’s Literary Event in Kenya Lauded for Addressing Reading Apathy

Highlighting one of the key moments of the day, John Ndung’u Muthoni pointed to a storytelling session drawn from traditional cultural myths. “We've had a storytelling session from the traditional myths of our cultures, which was a nice experience. It was well told, in which I could see the kids concentrate, which is not normal, seeing them in a span of 30–40 minutes listening to a story,” Mr. Ndung’u said.

John Ndung’u Muthoni. Credit: ACI Africa

The Kenyan animator, who attended the event with 30 children, noted that their sustained concentration demonstrated the potential impact of such initiatives. He explained that, with continued exposure to similar activities, children could make notable improvements in different areas of their lives, even in the midst of technological distractions.

Encouraging young people to cultivate a habit of reading, Mr. Ndung’u said it “opens up your mind to new ideas, new experiences, new ways of living, and new ways of seeing things,” offering “a broader perspective” that supports their growth into better individuals.

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

He went on to commend the Pauline Sisters’ groundbreaking initiative, saying, “It’s a nice one, especially for the kids, and maybe for the youths also. The youths also need one like this one, because they also need to be exposed to a reading culture.”

The event, which blended literary learning with visual and performance arts for children aged between six and 17, drew more than 300 participants, exceeding the organizers’ expectations.

Credit: ACI Africa

Realized under the theme “Let the children come to me,” taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew, the gathering echoed traditional storytelling methods while creatively engaging children through multiple forms of expression.

In a December 11 interview with ACI Africa ahead of the event, Sr. Praxides Nafula, Directress of Paulines Publications Africa (PPA), underscored the need to revive storytelling as a formative tool for children. She explained that the initiative was also designed to give children—especially those who might never be able to afford a book—the opportunity to experience reading collectively, noting the desire “to ensure that several children read a book that one person could have bought.”

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Sr. Praxides added that the event was free of charge and specifically targeted children from underprivileged areas within the ADN, with some refugee children from Tanzania expected to participate. 

The December 13 event that gathered 408 children drawn from Parishes and other Catholic institutions in Nairobi Archdiocese began with Holy Mass and continued with professionally led performances. Experts from the National Theatre guided the children through the performances, while the program also included Christmas skits. 

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Throughout the day, children took part in Bible quizzes, reading competitions, storytelling performances, video sessions, and other activities. Winners received rosaries for Catholic participants, storybooks, and Bibles.

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Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Other participants shared their impressions of the event. Gladys Nduta, an animator with the Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC), described the initiative as timely, particularly in the digital age. 

Opiyo Keren Amor. Credit: ACI Africa

“The event is making children learn more and understand more about the books and everything else because the children are more into tablets and phones,” Ms. Nduta, who accompanied 50 PMC members from Holy Trinity Parish of ADN, told ACI Africa during a December 13 interview.

According to Ms. Nduta, the event was enriching because it exposed children to a variety of experiences, including dancing and storytelling, which allowed them to encounter narratives through the arts and not only through books, “like in the olden days.” 

Credit: ACI Africa

She also noted that the children learned more about the Pauline Sisters and their publications, describing it as “a really amazing event, bringing children together, and making it fun.”

“It is also about the kids learning about their art,” Ms. Nduta added, referring to the apostolate of the Pauline Sisters.

Commending the Pauline Sisters for the initiative, Ms. Nduta said the event revealed “a different side of publishing,” and added, “It makes us want to know more.”

Gladys Nduta in black with some of the PMC children at the December 13 event. Credit: ACI Africa

In another interview, Fred Obat, Director of I Thirst Street Kids Organization that is dedicated to St. Teresa of Calcutta, who brought to the event 160 children, said the initiative enriched children “mentally, spiritually, and also in terms of talent,” while bringing together participants from different social backgrounds. 

The Director of I Thirst Street Kids Organization that is dedicated to St. Teresa of Calcutta, Fred Obat, (in black left) and his assistant, Emmanuel Mporayonzi takes a photo with some of the children during the December 13 event at Pauline Sisters' premises. Credit: ACI Africa.

“My main message to the Sisters of St. Paul is that they should continue organizing these events, as they are an effective way of spreading the Gospel,” Mr. Obat said.

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

He added, “We cannot spread the Gospel only by reading the Bible, but it can also be spread through artistic events and by coming together and cooperating in various activities, because there are some children from families that at times feel that they cannot reach places like this.”

His assistant, Emmanuel Mporayonzi, also reflected on the experience, saying, “We have come with even more children, and have learned many things from today’s event.” 

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Based on the nature of their work, Mr. Mporayonzi explained that the initiative was particularly relevant to the children they serve, as it exposed them to a wide range of positive experiences. 

“The work of our organization is to serve children who are on the streets, those who have been abandoned by their parents, and also those who have given up on life. We bring them closer and show them the Church; some of them reform and return to school,” he said.

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Children themselves also testified to the impact of the event. Opiyo Keren Amor told ACI Africa, “It has been very impactful. We have taken part in storytelling; we have had a nice hype session; we have danced; we have learned more, especially about our culture.”

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa/Daughters of St. Paul/Nairobi

Reflecting personally on the experience, Keren added, “The event has been nice. It has also challenged me to move away from technology more and start looking into books so that I may gain knowledge, since knowledge is power.”