By Yunus S Saliu
Sweat Is Invisible in The Rain, a memoir by Cherno M. Njie, published in 2019 by Pan-African University Press was the subject of a reading session by students from Panchang Senior Secondary School at the Kerr Batch Stone Circle site at Nianinja last week.
The event was organized by the National Center for Arts and Culture and fully supported by the author of the book, Cherno M. Njie. The students read excerpts of this engrossing memoir, as written by a leading Gambian author.
The book details his childhood in New Street, Banjul, to his school days in Banjul, his arrival in the USA, and his ultimate success as a realtor and pro-democracy activist.
However, the book also gives a faithful and very dependable account of the modern Gambian political history such as the rise of political parties, decolonization, and the rise of the junta rule in 1994.
Well written, illustrated, and published by a University Press, the book is an ideal material for good reading.
The students were engaged with the book with the support of their teachers and NCAC support staff. The readings were followed by sessions on worksheets, quizzes, and crossword puzzles among other activities.
The students enjoyed the session and interacted with the book.
‘This book is well written. When students read it, they shape their reading skills and get new words and ideas about Gambian history. Good reading materials are hard to come by and such a book is therefore of great value, said one of the teachers.
A student suggested an e-copy to be available so that they can access the book in their leisure time.
Participants thanked the NCAC and the author for giving rural children this reading lifeline.