My Book Buddy is a Savana Signatures’ initiative designed to transform the way children access books and engage with reading. Recognising the limitations of traditional library setups, My Book Buddy brings the library directly into classrooms, making books more accessible and reading an integral part of students’ daily lives. By installing bookshelves stocked with age-appropriate books in each classroom, My Book Buddy ensures that children from primary to junior high schools have easy access to a variety of reading materials right where they learn.

The initiative goes beyond merely providing books; it creates a comprehensive reading environment. Each classroom receives a bookshelf filled with class-specific storybooks, branded bags for borrowing, and My Book Buddy souvenirs. This setup not only makes it convenient for students to borrow and return books but also promotes a culture of reading at home and in school. With books readily available in their classrooms, children are encouraged to read regularly, thus improving their literacy skills.

The initiative removes the barriers that often prevent children from accessing reading materials, ensuring increased accessibility while promoting reading habits among students. This is because when books are within arm’s reach, students are more likely to pick them up and read, thereby incorporating reading into their daily activities.

Since its inception in 2022, My Book Buddy has positively impacted 3,703 students across the East Mamprusi, Sagnarigu, Hohoe, Ho Central, Ho West, and Ayensuano districts. The initiative has shown great results in just two years. Students participating in the programme exhibit a higher level of engagement with reading, thanks to the increased accessibility of books within their classrooms. The heightened interest and participation in reading activities have also led to noticeable improvements in literacy skills, particularly in reading comprehension, language development, and writing abilities.

The success of the My Book Buddy initiative is also reflected in the reading culture it has cultivated within the beneficiary schools. Activities such as raising the My Book Buddy flag, singing the My Book Buddy song, and organizing reading-related competitions have become key parts of the school experience, further promoting the love for reading among students.