One by one the youth appeared. From different points, the Reading Circle multipliers recited poetry and surprised the public. At the end, Sabina Rita, the presentation coordinator, invited participants to recite the verses they knew. For her, playing with words is the same as playing with dolls or balls. “I hope that I have passed on to these people the importance of books,” said Rita, a former student of the Rural Igrapiúna Family Home.

This was one of the activities undertaken to celebrate International Book Day, which falls on April 23 and was celebrated in Bahia’s Southern Lowland region on April 27 as part of a simultaneous action in the municipalities of Igrapiúna, Ituberá, Nilo Peçanha, Ibirapitanga and Presidente Tancredo Neves.

The event was coordinated by the Family Homes and Youth Home – teaching units tied to the Bahia Southern Lowlands Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Integrated and Sustainable Development Program (PDIS), instituted by the Odebrecht Foundation. The initiative also received the support of the city governments, local departments and municipal schools, together with the Brazilian Army and Industrial Social Service (SESI), among others.

Institutions that are part of PDIS, such as the Rights and Citizenship Institute (IDC), Land Conservation Organization (OCT), Pratigi EPA Guardian Association (AGIR), Bahia’s Baixo Sul Sustainable Development Institute (IDES) and different cooperatives (COOPALM, COOPRAP, COOPATAN and COOPEMAR), also participated in the celebration. “The actions supported by PDIS in the Southern Lowlands have generated important exchange with the community, and primarily, between municipal public school students and the Family Homes,” said Janice Andrade, Presidente Tancredo Neves Municipal Secretary of Education.

Based on the topic “The Importance of Reading for Building Knowledge,” the youth gave a presentation on the history of books and their relevance for society’s evolution. The event also marked the award ceremony for the writing contest involving the municipal school students. In Ituberá, the winner was Karens Alana, age 13. “I am in love with reading,” she said. “It goes with us everywhere.”

According to Portuguese teacher, Edilene Conceição, from Igrapiúna, books have a significant influence in the lives of human beings. “The message being taken to the youth will prompt them to return to the classroom with another vision,” said Conceição. “Reading also helps develop people who are capable of transforming their communities,” said Ituberá Secretary of Education, Ezenilton Carvalho.

For Yasmin Santos, age 10, reading brings more than knowledge. It is fun and allows people to travel around the world. “When I am reading, I imagine that I am inside the book,” said Santos, a resident of Nilo Peçanha.

Lear more about Reading Circles
The Reading Circles use a methodology that allows participants to develop the habit of reading, writing skills, expression, contextualization and reflection on the principles and values considered essential for the development of citizens and young leaders. The project is supported by the “Tribute to the Future” Program.

Youth multipliers apply the method at the Family Homes, Youth House and in other environments, such as municipal public schools and community associations.