Last year, we took a long, hard look at the state of illiteracy in South Africa. By now, you may be well aware of the statistics and their implications, but what you may not know is what is being done by initiatives and organisations that, like ourselves, are working every day to solve the literacy crisis.
When reading becomes second nature, it’s not often that we stop to think about being able to read or what life would be like without it. In fact, once mastered, we take our literacy for granted, as if it’s a skill we’ve always had.
Every week, our volunteer Reading Helpers and Literacy Tutors passionately and patiently sit one-on-one with learners to help them learn to read. By the time children start our programme, they’ve already been identified as struggling readers. They are between grades 2 and 4, and have fallen dramatically behind in learning how to read.
Here at help2read, we believe you’re never too old to volunteer. In fact, a large majority of our volunteer Reading Helpers are over 60 years old. Studies show that when you’re further along in years, volunteering can have a number of tremendous benefits.
Today marks the celebration of International Volunteer Day, commemorating the millions of volunteers around the world who give up their time to help others. Here at help2read, our work would not be possible without the incredible men and women that volunteer their time as Reading Helpers.
There’s an enduring crisis in South Africa, the effects of which will continue to be felt for decades to come. Its impact is far reaching, from sprawling city to rural farmland. It does not discriminate against age, race or class, but its destruction is felt most deeply among the poor. It is a crisis that perpetuates inequality and poverty, and has the power to bring the country to its knees.
At help2read, we are committed to building a strong collaborative movement to eradicate illiteracy in the next generation. To this end, we are delighted to have secured funding to implement a collaborative effort with Nali’Bali that will see help2read Literacy Tutors trained and supported to add FUNda Leadership…
High levels of literacy are essential for economic growth, prosperity and the sustainability of democracy and will ensure the sustainability of stability and society. So said Mondli Makhanya in his presentation to the more than 120 stakeholders who came together this Literacy Day to talk about the importance of literacy to democracy and prosperity in South Africa.
We love seeing children gain confidence in their reading ability and develop a love for books. But we also know all too well that children won’t read for pleasure if they can’t understand what they read.
Beanstalk thinks about books and other reading materials in a way that’s a bit different to the traditional system of libraries. We try to think about the likely use of the material and not about classifying the type of material, where likely use is determined by children’s interest.
Registered SA Non-Profit 063-979 PBO 930027054 UK Charity Reg No. 1109567 Registered Office: Oak Farm Cottage, Mill Street, Gislingham, Suffolk, IP23 8JT
