Summer BookTopia by ANIDA, in partnership with Indigo, returns to inspire the Next Generation

After distributing 1,400 books to over 400 students amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, ANIDA partners with the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation and the Children’s Book Bank for another year of Summer Booktopia.

TORONTO –  ANIDA echoes their belief in the right to education through their growing missions throughout Africa and the Caribbean. Their commitment to empowering youth through education and reading is mirrored locally in Toronto through this month-long event from August 1 to 30th.

Summer Booktopia’s 2021 debut saw over 400 students served, with support from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation and the Children’s Book Bank. Highlights included live reading sessions featuring authors of the book “I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!” Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young. There were also student presentations and a backpack drive that supplied 130 backpacks and school utilities. This year, Summer Booktopia is going big and bold with aims to provide over $7000 worth of books to 700 students ages 9-18 and extend reach with participants and book distributions in Ottawa.

• Book log: participants will log the books they read, highlighting exciting new books weekly. There will also be a raffle and prizes for book completion! (Due Aug 10)

• STEAM/ STEM activities: aimed mainly at young girls, this set of activities will include the following:

• A Coding Workshop (with Hackergal) will be exclusively for girls ages 9-14 and 15-18. The goal is to expose young girls to possibilities in technology (August 11; Hybrid).

• An Art and Mindfulness Session, where participants will discover microscopic art alongside artist and scientist Radha Chaddah; and participate in mindfulness activities and goal setting with Neil Correa from Soul Warriors (August 24; Hybrid).

• A Live Reading Session with author Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore during which the participants will discover Black Pioneers of Canadian History through her book “Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers who shaped Canada.” (August 30).

“Children need a reason to believe in their dreams. They need to see themselves represented in a variety of jobs and positions regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic background or religion,” said Jade Shortte, Coordinator and creator of Summer Booktopia. “Some of these kids don’t have a lot. This is about allowing them to see that the world is full of endless possibilities and empowering them to dream beyond what they believe they can achieve.”

ANIDA looks to diminish educators’ current education drought after two years of online learning. An investment in our children’s education is an investment in our future. ANIDA is proud to present this year’s Summer Booktopia in collaboration with partners Inner City Outreach, FIT Community Services, The Neighbourhood Organization, WeTogether, Community Services and Shelley Cares Foundation.

SOURCE ANIDA