• Comic books have a somewhat positive inference effect on young people.
• Initially, Shujaaz had a lot of traction but today, not many are interested in whatever information it has to offer.
Image: /COURTESY
Most people, at least the ones I know about, tend to mould a reading culture in their children at a very tender age.
Some read them books when they are even three months old.
I mean, they believe their baby can hear them and this puts them to sleep.
This theory, according to research, tends to work with people who are trying to learn a new language.
Imagine you are asleep while listening to German audio clips in your sleep and one day, you wake up and you can communicate in German.
Seems awesome, right?
These audios, supposedly, have to be audios you have listened to before.
I am still trying this theory out myself.
Maybe I will share if it actually works out for me and I wake up one day and I can communicate in a foreign language.
For children, their books have little words but a lot of pictures.
Gradually as they grow older and have adapted to reading, they get big novels with over 600 pages with no illustrations.
Over time, they have developed the creative mentality and can actualise the events of a novel.
Quickly create the scenarios and actively engage their creative mindsets that continue growing on a day-to-day basis.
Comic books have a somewhat positive inference effect on young people.
Short stories or phrases that correspond to accompanying illustrations.
In Kenya, there have been several releases of different comic books, but not so many people enjoy reading comic books.
I find them fun and very interesting to read.
Most of the time, they come with a specific message that must be passed along.
Growing up, my siblings and I grew accustomed to reading Supa Strikas.
There is no issue we missed reading until it stopped being circulated.
Then came our very own Shujaaz.
A comic that is humorous, self-defining and basically solution-oriented.
The comic, which is usually a free publication, is normally a monthly issue that is largely distributed on the first Saturday of every month.
Initially, Shujaaz had a lot of traction but today, not many are interested in whatever information it has to offer.
On the positive side, there remains a number who still enjoy whatever the comic has to offer.
Making use of the sheng language, the comic tackles a lot of issues that the youth in our society face today and sometimes offers solutions.
Starting businesses, civic education, growing relationships… even romantic ones, nurturing talent, seeking guidance and counselling and sometimes the need to have protected sex so as to avoid infections and early marriages.
They use four main characters: DJ Boyie, Charlie Pele, Malkia and Maria Kim.
The four, on every issue, usually address a different kind of challenge. Sometimes give advice and contact info and sometimes source for feedback from its audience.
In their earlier issues, Shujaaz used to have a Ujinga Ni section and a Mchongoano section that made the read interesting.
Even at its 150th publication, I still enjoy reading the publication because even if they did away with some sections, I still get to learn a lot and know more about an upcoming artiste, a farmer and even a trader.
Every young person in Kenya today has at least come across a copy of Shujaaz.
Shujaaz remains a rather desirable comic by a few in the society based on its level of consistency.
It has a lot to teach and this information is normally issued free of charge.
It is also a fun way of engaging the youth as well as teach them how they can navigate general life challenges.
Aside from the already existing comics in stores, Shujaaz remains a very pro-active comic.
150 chapters later and I have witnessed DJ Boyie, Charlie Pele, Maria Kim and Malkia evolve.
Shujaaz should be used as a reprieve for youths to communicate their needs and wants as well as get to gain more knowledge that affects their lives.