The reading programme at Parkhurst Primary School has expanded to reach 200 children between Grades 3 and 6 thanks to the overwhelming response of new volunteers.
Fifty community members responded to the article Do your part, teach a child to read, Week ending 9 November, indicating their interest in volunteering to help children read for an hour and a half once a week.
Educational psychologist and volunteer at the school Harriet Leisegang began the reading project at the school five years ago in response to the number of children who were not reading at an age-appropriate level.
“The increase in volunteers has meant there are more opportunities for children to practise reading,” said Leisegang.
Volunteer Patricia Leitich said, “It has been lovely working with the kids. It’s wonderful to see them become more confident in themselves and in their reading.”
Volunteer of three years Heather Esterhuizen commented that the programme had become more organised over the years.
“I have seen a real difference in the children as they move from one level to another with our help.”
The reading programme is just one of a number of projects Leisegang assists with at the school. Other projects include a feeding scheme to give 80 children a nutritious meal each day, a vegetable garden which helps supplement the work of the feeding scheme and the employment of an assistant social worker.
At present, Leisegang funds the majority of this work on her own.
During a tea hosted at her home in Saxonwold, Leisegang appealed to 30 volunteers to assist in attaining funding through their friendships within the community. The money will be used to fund the running costs of the feeding scheme, the salary of a cook and payment of a social worker to assist children at the school.
“The need at the school is bottomless. We need regular donations in order to keep our work sustainable so that if something happens to me, the project will not fall through,” said Leisegang.
She also appealed to local businesses to partner with her in contributing to the running costs of the various projects at the school.
For more information email Harriet on harrietleisegang.associates@gmail.com
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