Volunteers needed for literacy programme
"Volunteers don't need any prior teaching experience, just a love for children, the time and the willingness to make a difference."
SHERWOOD Primary School’s chapter of the Shine Foundation is looking for volunteers.
Shine, which was started 14 years ago in Cape Town, provides structured English literacy support to children who are second language English speakers or learners who battle with English, providing storybooks and readers. Shine provides individualised, one-on-one support to children in Grades 2 and 3 to strengthen their English reading, writing and speaking skills. Children work with trained volunteers during the school day, for at least one year.
Jeanine Forrest, chapter manager at Sherwood Primary, who has been involved in the programme since inception four years ago, said she is ideally looking for between 10 and 15 volunteers to help with classes at the school. Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.15am to 10.15am and 10.45am to 11.45am.
“We need volunteers to help with one of both sessions. Volunteers don’t need any prior teaching experience, just a love for children, the time and the willingness to make a difference as part of this very well put together, educationally sound programme,” she said.
Jeanine said volunteers are trained and books and stationery are provided. Volunteers will sit in on one or two sessions before taking them on themselves.
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There are four slots in the programme including paired reading, shared reading, where a volunteer reads to a learner, phonetical and sight word based games and writing.
Principal, Dean Unger, said these classes are so much more than just assisting learners with literacy.
“It’s more the relationships that are built between the learner and the volunteer. It is a really valuable programme at the school and we have seen the difference it has made in those who have gone through the programme. It helps build confidence in the learners and we are very lucky to have this at our school,” he said.
If anyone is interested in getting involved, they are encouraged to contact the school office on 031 207 3384 or email principal@sherprim.co.za.
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