Rabiya Mateo encourages children to read

Reading, in this age, has become even more important

People living below the poverty line and those who are illiterate are in the same portion of the population, research has shown.

Increasing the availability of books to the illiterate children in developing countries will change lives. Knowing how to read and write not only improves educational success and health, but also helps break the cycle of poverty.  

Fueled by her advocacy to eradicate illiteracy, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo encourages children to read. Raised by a single mother, Mateo knew the importance of education at an early age.

Yesterday, she took part in the virtual celebration of  National Reading Month in Western Visayas as a storyteller.

She was joined by selected learners from EB Magalona Elementary School, Tanza Elementary School, Iloilo Central Elementary School, and Montes  Elementary. Students listened to Mateo as she read the book titled “Covibook.” The story was about Covid-19—how to prevent one’s self from being infected.

“We really need to integrate a strong reading comprehension skill among our students in their foundational ages (kinder to grade school),” Mateo said in an Instagram post. “Reading is the pillar of literacy and after all, knowledge is and always will be power.”