It was an exciting evening of shared reading sessions and thrilling performances as two R&B artistes joined students and residents of Ngororero District in a reading culture event on Monday. 

Organised by ‘Save the Children’ in partnership with ‘Umuhumuza’ and ‘Rwanda Reads’, the literacy promotion campaign is based on a belief that everyone should have the ability to read and write. The organisers work with artistes to help motivate children, teens, and adults to develop the culture of reading.

Tom Close and Bruce Melody found some time despite their busy schedules to entertain the eager and excited students during the campaign at Ngororero stadium.

Both artistes said they were fascinated with the opportunity to interact with the students and residents of Ngororero. The teachers were also inspired by the enthusiasm students had for reading.

Bruce Melody, 22, who was the first to take to the stage, performed his popular songs, Uzandabure, Ntujya Unkinisha, Ntundize and Ndakwanga, while Tom Close, 29, entertained with his set of Byararangiye, Ndakubona and Ibintu byarahindutse. From the time they stepped on the stage to the moment they stepped down, the crowd was singing along to their songs, and students screaming.

 "I am really happy to be part of this event to celebrate our local music with our artistes. It’s also a great initiative to raise awareness towards reading, through their work since many of the youths love music and entertainment in general,” Emmanuel Rubimbura, one of the students said.

According to Ericson Bethany, the education programme director at ‘Save the Children’, the event was intended to help young people adapt and develop the reading culture in their communities.