In celebration of National Library Week that ends on 23 March, Melpark Primary School participated in a fun event.
Help 2 Read relationships coordinator, Thuli Mashiyane, said the organisation embarked on a reading tour at various schools.
The programme places nine volunteers to work with 20 children from each school on a one-on-one basis.
Their aim was to raise awareness about Library Week and encourage children to read.
“Today we came to enjoy National Library Week with learners because reading is such a culture in this school. Principal Padayachee also has a principal’s book club where kids have turns to read to her and discuss what they are reading,” said Mashiyane.
“We have a reading tour where local authour Bianca Masina co-authored book with her daughter Khanya. Grade 2 and 4 learners had the opportunity of being read to by them.”
She added the book is called I love me and celebrates being proudly African and a young girl. She said the response from the children was great, considering the book was being read by a young person as opposed to an adult. The youngsters appeared visibly excited and in awe that a young person co-wrote the book.
The book was donated to the school, which will give the children the opportunity to read the book through their reading club.
“We will continue our relationship with our schools who are part of our programme on a long-term basis, with the help of our volunteers and resources. Our donors and the public fund the books we use, however, we prefer to use the donation to buy them ourselves,” said Mashiyane.
Volunteer Denise O’Shea who is a Melville resident, said she started volunteering in 2012.
She believes reading requires patience and love in encouraging them to read. Reading opens a child’s imagination, inspires them, expands their vocabulary and exposes them to the world.
ALSO READ: The power of literacy
Details: Help 2 Read 011 028 8263.
