The Reading Gogos are a group of women, and a few men, who volunteer their time to interact with Grade One to Three children at various schools in Daveyton.
“Since 2008 we have been encouraging children to speak, read, write, sing and do simple puzzles and artwork in a fun way in English,” said Vivienne Ridyard.
“The welcome we get is tremendous; even the teachers love us.”
According to Ridyard it’s not always a bed of roses; the gogos deal with huge classes and overexcited children.
Each gogo is encouraged to do what she is most comfortable with, such as telling stories, listening to reading, playing word games or singing action songs.
Some gogos work in teams, planning a range of activities that will keep a whole class occupied for an hour.
Others are happier to work with a small group, possibly outside under the trees.
“All you need is a lifelong love of books to qualify,” she said.
“You don’t even have to be a grandparent; our ages range from 30-year-olds to people in their early 80s.
“Our present outreach is to five schools, but dozens more keep asking when they can get a Gogo army.”
Ridyard urges people to contact a local or township school, take some friends along to meet the principal or department head and tell them that they are offering their time to encourage learners to develop the love of reading.
“I don’t know where to begin, the gogos are doing a wonderful job,” said Cynthia Mnculwane, the principal of Letsha Primary School.
“They have been doing this for more than 10 years now and the children look forward to seeing them every Thursday.”
According to Mnculwane, learners enter spelling and public speaking competitions and excel because of what they have been taught by the gogos.
For more information, contact Ridyard on 011 849 5508 or 073 147 5505. Alternatively, visit www.ekufundzeni.co.za for more information.
Also read: Rotary club mentors learners
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