In a groundbreaking literacy initiative, the Children’s Book Organization for Tanzania (CBO) has partnered with CODE to bring culturally rich stories into the hands of young Tanzanian readers. This collaboration has resulted in four vibrant new children’s titles that are now enriching classrooms across Ifakara – and one more to come soon!
Local Stories, Local Publishers, Lasting Impact
Working with celebrated Tanzanian publishers, CBO has created books that speak directly to children’s experiences while meeting the standards of the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE). These aren’t just books—they’re gateways to imagination that reflect Tanzanian culture:
- “Twende Twende” (Milele Book House)
- “Tabasamu Langu Meno ya Binadamu” (Milele Book House)
- “Safari ya Jua” (E & D Vision Publishing)
- “Tusome Abachaa” (E & D Vision Publishing)
A Reading Revolution Begins
The impact is already being felt across 15 schools in Ifakara, where 6,000 books have already found new homes since distribution began on February 4, 2025. Each participating school received 400 books—100 copies of each title—creating mini-libraries of culturally relevant literature where previously few existed.
Ms. Esther Nuruva from the district education office personally observed the distribution, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving literacy. Her presence signals a powerful alliance between community organizations and government education initiatives.
This distribution marks more than just the arrival of books—it represents the beginning of a reading revolution that promises to transform educational outcomes across the region, one story at a time.