Help local NPO foster love for reading
In partnership with Waterloo Primary School as their beneficiary of choice, it was agreed that an efficient literacy programme and library was what they needed most.
A LOCAL non-profit organisation continues to change the lives of the less fortunate by investing in their literacy and reading abilities.
Open a Book for A Child recently opened a refurbished media center at Waterloo Primary School. The relationship between the school and the organisation began in 2012, when the organisation’s founder, Megan Viljoen was approached by various corporate companies looking to assist communities in need. In partnership with Waterloo Primary School as their beneficiary of choice, it was agreed that an efficient literacy programme and library was what they needed most.
Also read: Parliament’s transport committee calls for stricter laws
Armed with a purpose, Viljoen recruited some volunteers and started a Shine Literacy Programme, where the children were assisted with their reading skills. The programme is about story sharing, creating a love of books, expanding the horizons of the children and supporting those who are at risk of learning to read, which is crucial for long-term success in today’s world. From there the projects grew. With the support of various stakeholders, a Junior Phase library was donated in 2015.
“The use of one library for the whole school was not effective, especially considering that there’s roughly 45 children per class, she said. In 2018, the Senior Phase library was refurbished extensively. This year they are launching a digital reading programme aimed at Grades ones to three.
” While about two-thirds of South African children are taught in their home language for their first three years of schooling, with English taught as an additional language, from Grade 4 about 90 per cent of children learn in English. We realised that this becomes a challenge, especially for learners whose mother tongue is not English.The Shine Literacy programme seeks to assist younger children to familiarise themselves with the language well in advance of the transition,” she said.
In other news: SPCA encourages owners to microchip their pets
The school’s principal Dr Ntombikayise Ngcobo said the programmes are helping improve not only the children’s literacy skills but is also boosting the learners academically.
“Most learners fail because they struggle to read with comprehension. As teachers we’ve observed that our learners are doing much better academically since they started the programme,” said Dr Ngcobo. Open a Book for A Child is urging the public to join them and volunteer their time to read to the learners. You can contact Megan Viljoen on 082 458 8811 or email openabookforachild@gmail.com.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
