Rwandan singer Tom Close donates children's books

Close, whose real name is Thomas Muyombo, said he wanted every child in Rwanda to have access to his books in libraries across the country, The New Times reported.

“Today I read some of my written stories to the children to inspire some of them who will probably be future writers,” the singer, who is the author of about 80 children’s books and a medical doctor, said after donating the books on Wednesday.

He said he had decided to publish short and well-illustrated stories for children once he had realised that the reading culture in Rwanda was lacking.

"Every child in Rwanda deserves to experience the joy of reading," Close told Music In Africa. “As an artist I feel it’s my responsibility to pay back to the community by helping the needy, especially children and patients.”

Close said the initiative to donate the books was also intended to promote a culture of reading in Rwanda, which would in turn spur morality and values.

“My books are written in Kinyarwanda,” he said. “My aim is to push the idea that the international languages of wider communication like English and French are not the only means of communication that should be prioritised.”

Muyombo says Africa is the only continent where the majority of children begin their school careers using a foreign language.

“I want my children and all Rwandan children to know and love our language and culture. I believe African languages can be developed for academic use by providing appropriate teaching and learning materials,” he said.

The father of two occasionally collaborates with Save the Children Rwanda through which he teaches primary school children about writing. The organisation is committed to raise literacy levels in Rwanda.