#WeRead – Change the Story for Kids Haven residents this Mandela Day
They want to buy new books which are Africa-centric, relatable for children and which are by South African and African publishers
It always seems impossible until it’s done” — Nelson Mandela.
In this same spirit, Kids Haven is aiming to make its dreams come true this Mandela Day (July 18), even if it seems difficult to achieve. They are asking companies and the community to help them buy new books for their children.
“Our biggest drive this year is to raise funds to buy new books for our children. But not just any books – we want to inspire our children to find themselves the heroes of these stories.”
Kids Haven has themed this project Change the Story.
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“We want to inspire our kids. We want each of them to know they can achieve their dreams no matter what,” said fund-raising coordinator Susan Daly.
“We want them to read books of Africa, written by Africans – books about boys, about girls, hyenas and lions, heroes and heroines; books that heat their souls with African sun. We want our teenagers to find themselves outside of their reality, but close enough to feel their way there.
“The request is not for second-hand books, but rather funding to buy new books. We want to purchase specific, relatable books – South African and African publishers only,” Daly explained.
They would like to Change the Story this Mandela Day by purchasing the following types of books:
- Inclusive books for inclusive children
- Stories in which girls are the heroes
- Stories set in Africa for Africa
- Children of every colour play a part in the story
- My world looks different but I can see myself in this story
- I see myself in this story
- Children like me can be the hero
- I can dream in the bright bold colours of Africa
- Black lives matter through stories
Kids Haven is requesting the donation of any of the following:
- R67 for one new book
- R670 for an entire shelf of books
- R6 700 to impact the book club project
“Inspiring a love of reading among the children, our youngsters must know they can touch the gold at the end of our rainbow nation. We want to spark their imaginations and ignite their passion,” Daly explained. “We want to let them dream in technicolour and make them the champions in the story of their own lives, because of, not in spite of, who they are.”
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Founder of Kids Haven, Moira Simpson asked: “Will you or your company still offer 67 minutes of service in 2020 – either on Friday (July 17) on Saturday (July 18).”
If you cannot donate money for new books, there are alternate methods to support the home through the real and virtual squares where donations of second hand clothing, food, blankets and toiletries are accepted:
Fill your real square at the Kids Haven Donation Centre at 300 Main Road, Bryanston, and they will take a photo to upload to the website on the day. If you can’t make it to the centre, send Kids Haven a photo of your donation with your company logo or members of your family and you will be added to the big picture.
To discuss the best way to deliver the items or who to send the photo of your donations to, Kids Haven can be contacted on 011 421 4222.
