‘Abantu’ improves literacy amongst young people
“Given our limited resources in this undertaking, it is thus we are pleading for book and reading material donations ranging from books, magazines and newspapers from any genre."
ORANGE FARM. – The Abantu Literacy League which is based in Drieziek EXT 3, Orange Farms, aims to improve literacy levels in the community for the young and the old.
The youth organisation’s library was launched this month, June, as the organisation wanted to honour and celebrate the youth of 1976 while at the same time imparting history to the younger generation.
The organisation’s Dumezweni Ndweni said that they aim to make learning a lifestyle and, “not only to turn pages but also people’s lives around.”
Ndweni said that one of the chief reasons that they decided to start the library and work with children is that, they have identified that learners from both primary and secondary levels have challenges reading and writing as demanded by their levels.
“Therefore, we are a response to that situation and aim to positively impact the lives of the learners. As an organisation we agreed that it is not enough to simply point out the problems and challenges. We also need to be able to point out or be part of the solutions and bring about the change that we want to see,” Ndweni said.
The organisation currently has four founding members: Sihle Gaba, Nobuhle Nkambule, Nomathemba Sibeko and Ndweni.
“It’s important to highlight that the organization does not belong to the members but to the community and everyone who wants to be involved in positively impacting people’s lives through literacy. Thus, we are open for extra hands and we are welcoming anyone who wants to come and help us with their experience, resources and in any shape or form.”
The members are working towards having the following services such as the library, homework centre and internet services. In the long run, they are also planning on creating book clubs, debate and spelling, art and writing competitions for children.
In the same vein, they want to inspire children to be creative, innovative, curious and critical thinkers.
“Looking further forward we want to incorporate the elderly people in literacy programmes which will include basic computer skills and language skills. Essentially, we want to operate within frameworks, so we aim to be registered as an NPO by 2025.”
“Given our limited resources in this undertaking, it is thus we are pleading for book and reading material donations ranging from books, magazines and newspapers from any genre and lastly, we could also use donations in the nature of chairs and tables. If you have books to spare, please reach to us and we will arrange pick-ups.”
For more information on Abantu please contact: Nobuhle Nkambule (068 188 6060)
Sihle Gaba (067 833 9824)
Nomathemba Sibeko (067 758 2156)
Dumezweni Ndweni (073 678 9856) Whatsapp (076 996 2232).
