Storybook account

Banks may be more used to counting the dinars and fils but one has been busy encouraging children to read English in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, writes May Al Mousawi.

HSBC Bank Middle East linked up with the British Council Bahrain last weekend to stage a ‘Kids Read’ initiative at Seef Mall to highlight the recent World Environment Day celebrations.

In a white fenced enclosure children scurried around a group of storytellers and others queued up to get their faces painted in art sessions related to the theme.

Noora Al Sabah, one of the organisers and the English Project manager from the British Council Bahrain, said: “The main aim is to encourage children to read outside of the normal school environment. We are targeting primary school students, as this is the perfect age for them to develop the habit of reading. It is important to their cognitive development and a way of improving their English.

“The books were full of exciting stories about the environment and the animals that live on the planet with us. We were also teaching the children how to appreciate their surroundings.”

Members of staff at HSBC volunteered to take part in the event and had been trained by the British Council. They impressed visitors with their enthusiasm.
Bilal Mohamed, a teacher from Muharraq, said: “I have never seen an event like this before, it is fantastic. It gives children an opportunity to learn how to care for others, share and socialise as well as motivating them to think about the environment.

“They are being taught how to read and how to colour and be artistic; all very important aspects of their lives.”

Dad Mi Zhanjie, from Seef, said: “My child isn’t even two yet so he is learning how to interact with others and build his social skills. It’s better to be playing and learning than sitting at home and watching television.”

Other parents said their children had heard about the event through their schools and friends and even dragged them out of bed to ensure they arrived in plenty of time.

Bassim Saleh, from Hamad Town, said: “I have four girls and they have been excited since last night, they even wanted us to get here before any of the other children!”

The children were not disappointed. Israa Abdul Aziz, 11, from Riffa, said: “I’m having so much fun, I got my face painted to say ‘I love baba’ and I’m going to take part in the art activities now. I love watching TV but this is more fun and exciting and I’m meeting new people. I’ve just heard a story on the different animals in our environment and I loved it.”

Sara Mohammed, 12, from Muharraq, said: “It’s really good for the children to learn how to speak English. I’m not that good at English and I’m slowly learning, so this event is helping me. I just heard about this application that I can get on my iPad about learning to read in English from the British Council. I think it is a great opportunity for the children in Bahrain.”

At the end of the event, the children were able to take part in an art competition and the best drawings, voted for by the volunteers, were given prizes. Those who also took part in the raffle and won were given a book to take home with them to read.

HSBC Bank Middle East and the British Council aim to reach more than 25,000 children across the Middle East and North Africa region, by taking part in a variety of school activities alongside public story-telling events.