Volunteers from Reading and Writing Solutions (RWS), an Athlone-based non-profit organisation (NPO), celebrated World Read Aloud Day on Friday February 1, with Grade R pupils from Sunnyside Primary School. World Read Aloud Day was established by the NPO, LitWorld, and it has grown to include more than a million people participating in more than 100 countries. Jeff Paulse, founder of RWS, said by taking part in the event, they hoped to encourage a love for reading, build bonds and connect people. “We want to create happy worlds for children, using stories as a means of escapism from a world of violence and rampant child abuse,” he said.