The closing of a book in Greymont
The Greymont Reading Centre had to shut its doors after nine years of putting books in the hands of children.
Greymont’s thirst for knowledge will no longer be satisfied after its only reading centre closes its doors.
After nine years of imparting knowledge and impacting young lives, the Greymont Reading Centre has had to close its doors due to a lack of funding.
The organisation’s founder, Sumitra Naidoo said she started and self-funded the non-profit organisation back in 2014 as a response to there being no library within the community. “The vision was to put together shelves of awesome children’s books as a way to build a love for them. Over the years it evolved to become a full-fledged centre,” she said.
To mark its closing, an event that saw the attendance of parents and community members was held. The great sadness of the event was sheathed with joy brought by the celebration of the centre’s ninth birthday.
By 2023, the organisation had management staff and teachers who helped 50 primary school children with homework, school projects, life skills and a warm nutritious meal daily. A meal that some would have gone without had it not been provided.
Over the years these teachers helped children who, although were going to school, did not know how to read and, in a few cases, did not know how to write either. Children of the centre would go on to show great improvement or excel in subjects such as maths, English and comprehension/reading.
Naidoo reflected on how one parent brought a child in who didn’t speak, “Although we did not have the skill to correct certain behavioural traits, what do have is the love, patience and passion for learning.” Traits that over time encouraged the child to speak before that year’s end. “The reality is that not everyone has the finance or wherewithal to go to an occupational therapist or psychologist to seek help. This is how our centre changed through the years and blended to suit the needs of the community.”
It had been a challenge for the centre to generate the funding it needed and though its founder recognised they were not strong enough in raising money, they also knew that they worked within a low-income community and could not ask already cash-strapped neighbourhood for more money.
The closing of this centre’s doors will yet again mean there will be no reading centre in the community. “We filled this space for nine years and once we close our doors we will go back to 2014 when there was no library and children will be walking the street unable to get help,” said Naidoo.
Tumi Kodisang, a parent, described the day as an emotional one and one that brought a great loss to them. For her, it served as a treasure and place of knowledge for the children of the community. “This centre taught my son how to read and write, a task that proved difficult for me to do. I wish I could keep you but I can’t,” she said with a heavy heart.
Fellow parent, Ofentse Mothibi, said his work had situated far from home and knowing his child was at the organisation gave him a sense of assurance that his child was safe.
Hope is not all lost though, the organisation has appealed to local churches and schools for a space that needs little to no rent. So that it can still manage to pay staff.
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