Aaron Ng’ambi, along with seven other students, created a non-profit organization called Keiki Books to promote learning outside the classroom. The organization held it first event at the beginning of the month and intends to continue the work.Ng’ambi said, “Keiki Books is about training a kid up in the way that he should grow.” It provides an opportunity for the children to be excited about learning in school, as well as outside the classroom. Keiki Books accomplishes this by helping kids read and encourages parents to read to their children.At its last event, about 13 children came from around the community and TVA to read, draw and write. The BYUH Jesters came and performed some of the books for the children who do not know how to read yet. Ng’ambi said this exposes the keiki to literature in a way that they may or may not have had before they came to a Keiki Books event.Keiki Books recognizes that there are resources out there that are not being utilized. With book donations from the Give and Take combined with community donations, the organization came up with 300-plus books at its last event; way more than was projected, said Ng’ambi.Michaela Tate, a freshman from Mililani, said, “Books have increased my understanding of the world and how to overcome the dark parts of the human mind, using the light that is within all of us. Books are magic.” Keiki Books strives to encompass this very principle in interaction with children, especially those who only know learning to be inside of a classroom.“The young mind is so malleable. It is so very important that we as students, educators, community members, what have you, aid in shaping these young minds by making literature, in all forms, accessible,” said Lanae Pitts, a freshman studying ICS.For more information on assisting Keiki Books in making literature and education outside of the classroom accessible, visit its Facebook page or email Aaron Ng’ambi at angambi@go.byuh.edu.The non-profit organization plans on hosting another event like its first event. Ng’ambi, chuckled and said, “We had no idea what we were doing, but the community came through and affirmed that what we are doing is important.”
Writer: Morgynne Tora ~ Multimedia Journalist
