Generation Reader: A parent’s story

I am Timothy Machaka. Originally, I am from Zaka, Masvingo, but I grew up in the Southern region of the country. Initially, I worked at OK Zimbabwe, but after some time, I left and re-joined teaching.  

I started using this library way back around 2009. I used to come to read some novels. But when I left employment at OK Zimbabwe, I came back and started reading books which are academic in nature – geography and mathematics. I feel like I actually grew up within this library and it actually changed my life. 

These days I usually take books for geography because I teach mathematics and geography. There are several books, especially the likes of Dave Rayner series from Cambridge mathematics. They are self-explanatory, very, very good in nature. I feel very free interacting with my students using the Dave Rayner series. 

I have two children. Tariro is 17 and Tanaka is 21. Tanaka is at State University doing metallurgy engineering, and Tairiro is in high school doing sciences – chemistry, physics, and mathematics. 

We grew up with a spirit of reading within our family. So, they grew up having the idea of opening pages from the word go. The encouragement came from their mum. Sometimes I try to assist them where I am able to, but usually we focus on numeracy. I teach geography and mathematics, so when they touch books with calculation, that’s my area. 

In our area, we have a network problem. Our students do not have cell phones to have access to books online, so they need physical books.

Books are liberators from poverty. If someone has access to books, they can liberate themselves from a life of poverty.

So, the combination between whoever gives books and the reader could change someone’s life. 

Images Â©BookAidInternational/KB Mpofu