Musing over the importance of a culture of reading in Eldos
The MUSE Community Outreach Reading Hub strives to ignite a love of reading, in the youth of Eldorado Park.
The MUSE Community Outreach Reading Hub strives to ignite a love of reading, in the youth of Eldorado Park.
Crystal Meyers established the non-profit organisation after she observed her aunt interact with children during after-care and saw the children engaging in the reading activities that they had.
This and a lack of reading centres in the area is where the idea to start the reading hub stemmed from. There are only two libraries in the community, in Extensions Five and Two.
MUSE is currently in the process of establishing a literacy centre in the form of a shipping container, donated by the Rotary Club of Johannesburg South 101.
This will serve the community as an accessible base of information, and as a place where children between the ages of six and 12 can be assisted with their reading and schoolwork needs.
“We frequently host edutainment days at the Extension One soccer grounds where youngsters are able to participate in reading, writing and sounding exercises.
“These skills are needed and crucial in the development of children, as South Africa was ranked as one of the most illiterate countries in the world as part of a study conducted by the Central Connecticut State University in 2016,” said Meyers.
“During these edutainment days, children have one-on-one sessions with MUSE volunteers, some of whom are teachers and retired educators, who delve into the literacy levels of the children; while other children take part in group activities in a bid to allow them to learn from their peers,” she added.
Growing up in Eldorado Park and witnessing first-hand the dire impact of unemployment on the community at large made Meyers realise that it all has to start somewhere – and in this case, it was with the youth.
The reading hub was able to obtain equipment for the growing number of children who attend through a donation from Grounded Media, an independent, integrated communications agency with expertise in the social development sector.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the company embarked on a charity drive to give a helping hand to various charity organisations across the Gauteng region.
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The company donated a number of items to the reading hub, including gazebos, folding tables, chairs, and stationery.
Chief executive officer, Coco Cachalia said, “The charity drive is the company’s way of reflecting on the past 20 years, with one eye cast on the next 20 years and beyond, and continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of South Africans.”
“As a company, we believe in South Africa, because we believe in South Africans. Working in social development through communications is something we’re passionate about as a team.
“We believe in what we do and that our work gives South Africans access to information that helps to improve their lives. We consider ourselves a true South African success story,” said Cachalia.
