Children from Rehoboth Basic School in Independence City benefited from a reading project titled The JOOI of reading (pronounced 'joy') recently on the school compound.

Scores of children from cradle, the babies of the lot, to age six were read books by Junior Optimists, based at Independence City Primary School. The delightful look on the faces of the youngsters said it all, and it proved to be a day well spent.

According to club adviser Audrey Young, the main aim of the project, which is an initiative of the Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI), is to have children reading as many books as possible during the month.

The club also embarked on reading projects at the school, which took the form of a reading marathon. "We want to continue on a positive path to bring the joy of reading to the young at heart," Young said.

The project is officially in its first year, and is dubbed 'reading month'. Grade-one teacher Marsha Laird also read to students.

JOOI boasts more than 15,500 members in more than 600 communities worldwide and, according to the JOOI official website, members are constantly working to promote a positive change in their communities.