IN keeping with the theme for February and their passion to promote the importance of reading, The Robin Hood Foundation launched its Love to Read campaign on 1 February.
According to Cindy Norcott, chairman and founder of the foundation, they believe that education is the main key to eradicate poverty and aims to focus a large amount of attention on Early Childhood Development in 2017.
“Recent research confirmed that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child’s brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain’s organisational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.
“Sadly, in our communities, most of the children in the more rural areas are just left with an untrained care giver at a ‘crèche’ or day care facility. While we are seeing and meeting some incredible people in the community that are starting these crèches with such good intention, the reality is they just do not have the funding to provide any proper educational value to these children,” said Norcott.
Co-ordinator of The Robin Hood Foundation, Kim Griffith Jones, said, “We are appealing for the community to help us to reach our goal to provide educational upliftment for up to 20 creches, highlighted in Community Liaison communities.
“This is can be done by collecting 5 000 books and educational toys that will help with the children’s development. We are planning to visit these crèches at the end March and also host an Easter party for the children to create a fun and memorable day for them.”
“Spending time reading with my children is probably one of our most enjoyable times together. Their ever enquiring minds are eager to learn and experience. Mandela said ‘Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world’ and it is the perfect time to spring clean your children’s cupboards and toy boxes and contribute to making this change by supporting The Robin Hood Foundation’s Love to Read campaign,” said Mrs India South Africa and Gillitts resident, Priya Boshoff.
How you can help
Donate new colouring-in books and crayons, second-hand books that are in excellent condition for all ages and educational toys/puzzles (only complete pieces).
You can also donate marshmallow Easter eggs for their Easter parties.
Corporates, “Make your mark” and donate a bookshelf with a plaque for R1 000. Schools can contribute by donating books, charts etc that are no longer in use.
If you would like to get involved, contact Kim Griffith Jones on 076 612 9060 or email robinhoodfund@telkomsa.net
