On Sunday, May 25th, NABU celebrated Africa Day with a powerful live reading event in Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Held at the vibrant Kigali Public Library (KPL) space, the event brought together children, educators, and literacy advocates for a joyful afternoon filled with storytelling, community, and cultural pride.
At the heart of the celebration was The Big and Magical Basketball Games, NABU’s latest children’s book created in collaboration with BAL. The story follows five young basketball players Magic, Moktar, Siratou, Rukundo, and Anele as they journey across Africa in search of the legendary BAL Cup. Through teamwork, determination, and imagination, the children discover their collective strength and the magic of unity. The book was brought to life through a multilingual read-aloud session, engaging students from Green Hills Academy, High Gate International, and GS Apacope in English, Kinyarwanda, and French. The energy in the room was electric as the story unfolded, sparking laughter, excitement, and a shared love of reading.
A Shared Vision for Literacy in Africa
The event opened with remarks from key partners and guests: Tessy Rusera, Director of Kigali Public Library; Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa; Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the BAL; and Ajibola Olayiwola, NABU’s Director of Marketing. Amadou Gallo Fall shared his hopes to expand this literacy initiative across more African countries and languages. Clare Akamanzi echoed the vision, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling for youth empowerment and education. Their presence and support signaled strong executive-level commitment to NABU’s mission to deliver accessible, culturally relevant books to children everywhere.
Following this, children and guests were taken on a welcome tour of the Kigali Public Library and NABU Creative Lab, led by Clarisse Mahoro, Program Manager at KPL. The program continued with an engaging live illustration session by Bruno Iradukunda that brought characters from the book to life on paper. A highlight of the day was the rotating small group reading sessions and where children engaged with a Q&As and the special guests. Clare Akamanzi read the story in English, captivating young minds with her presence and voice. Sandrine Isheja brought the story to life in Kinyarwanda, creating a deeply resonant local connection. Nathalie Munyampenda, CEO of Kepler and President of the Kepler Basketball Team, joined in with a reading in French, celebrating Rwanda’s linguistic diversity. Their participation made the storytelling truly multi-sensory and multilingual, emphasizing inclusion and accessibility.
A Library Experience to Remember
At the end of this incredible event, children were given copies of the featured book and BAL final game match tickets to wrap a memorable day filled with discovery, joy, and inspiration. The children’s enthusiasm and the engagement from leaders across sectors made it clear that stories like The Big and Magical Basketball Games are a gateway to bigger dreams.
Africa Day was not just a celebration, but a milestone in NABU’s journey. Together with BAL, we are planting seeds of literacy, culture, and hope, one story at a time. As we continue into the season, NABU remains committed to managing operations on the ground while nurturing high-level partnerships that fuel long-term impact across and impact.
Want to see how this journey began? Explore Books, Basketball, and Belief: A Magical Kickoff in Dakar
Ready to dive into the story? Read now on the web reader or on the NABU App
Read The Big and Magical Basketball Games now in English, Kinyarwanda and French
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