FOR children to have any chance at improving their literacy, furthering their education and essentially advancing their place in this world, access to books is paramount.
This is something that Willowton Group understands wholeheartedly. The family-owned business, has a long history of improving educational resources at various KwaZulu-Natal schools and most recently donated four mobile libraries to Anjuman Islam Primary School in the Durban CBD.
The 690 pupils from the school, ranging from Grade RR to 7, comprise mainly of children from informal settlements and generally impoverished communities. Roughly 160 of the pupils are from refugee families and English is a second language.
Although the staff work hard to educate the children, and there has been a gradual improvement in the Annual National Assessment results, the school’s lack of library facilities has proved a huge impediment in improving the children’s literacy rates.
Earlier this year, the school approached Ahmed Motala of New Africa Education Foundation for assistance. The NPO recently completed a mobile library project for 20 schools in KwaMashu and this was considered a viable option for Anjuman Islam Primary School.
Motala approached the Willowton Group who eagerly stepped in to fund four mobile libraries for the school, at a total cost of R112 000. Each of the four libraries is housed on a different level of the school, making the books easily accessible to teachers and pupils.
Deputy principal of Anjuman Islam Primary School, Mohamed Akbar Aboobaker, said the staff and pupils were “elated” about the libraries, each of which is stocked with 200 books covering a range of topics.
“This will go a long way in accelerating the school’s literacy programme. There are 40 children per class and, because of the school’s design, it is difficult to get the children around easily which is why having a mobile library on every floor really caters for our children’s needs. We are so grateful for this generous donation,” said Aboobaker.
Chairman of the Willowton Group, Farouk Moosa said that a literate, educated society is a “safer, healthier and more prosperous society”.
“Promoting reading, writing and other academic subjects will lead the way in promoting prosperity through knowledge. We, as a country, simply cannot afford to have children who cannot read and learn any longer,” said Moosa.
