VOLUNTEERS
ARE A FORCE FOR GOOD
Volunteers play a unique role in the lives of our children: role models, mentors, caregivers, teachers. Their contribution is additive and valuable. We are privileged that in the last decade more than 3,800 volunteers have helped over 12,700 learners. Twenty-three of our volunteers have been with us for longer than five years, and a number of those have been with us since the very beginning!
During the course of 2015, we engaged 549 volunteers and reached a total of 1,762 learners, with 1,215 new children joining the programme.
LITERACY TUTORS
FULL OF POTENTIAL
Recognising the limitations of engaging traditional volunteers in township-based public schools, we introduced the community-based Literacy Tutor Programme in 2013. Fast forward two years to 2015, we’ve now trained 65 young people as tutors and reached 883 learners through the programme. In 2015 alone, 33 Literacy Tutors delivered our reading help programme in four schools, supporting 428 learners.
This programme reflects a dual strategy that aims to deliver reading help to primary learners in townships, while simultaneously addressing the low level of skills and employability of young people in these communities.
READING HELPERS
ARE MADE NOT BORN
Reading is a learned skill, which is why we provide training for our volunteers and Literacy Tutors on how to support children as they learn to read. The training also equips volunteers with broader skills, empathy and relationship management tools, enriching their own lives in the same way they enrich the lives of our children.
In 2015, we provided training to over 200 new volunteer reading helpers, 33 Literacy Tutors and 30 students. We also provided training to caregivers at five partner programmes and held five specialist training workshops on a range of topics to enhance the skills of our volunteers.
WITHOUT BOOKS
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRACTICE READING
help2read’s Book Boxes hold colourful stage- and grade-appropriate books, literacy games, activity books, stationery and stickers. Without these essential tools, no child will learn to read well or develop a love for reading.
In 2015, we revamped our Book Boxes with greater reading resources, exciting new literacy games and learning tools, and bright new posters and bunting. Over 4,500 books were distributed and over 40 reading spaces became brighter to create an environment that is inspiring and motivating.