Liberty Promenade gives books for Literacy Month

In celebration of literacy month, Liberty Promenade has partnered with local non-profit READ to RISE to sponsor a brand new story book for 312 learners at Searidge Primary School in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. Staff from Liberty Promenade joined READ to RISE at the school on 14 and 15 September 2016 to read to the Grade 2 and 3 learners and hand out the books.

READ to RISE is a non-profit orgranisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities such as Mitchells Plain. They hope to inspire children to read with a fun, interactive classroom programme and also giving each learner a new book to take home. In communities like Mitchells Plain, many children have never owned a book before. “Book ownership can ignite a love for reading” says READ to RISE Programme Director, Taryn Lock.

READ to RISE currently offers programmes for Grade 2 and 3 classes. To date, they have visited over 730 classes to conduct their programme and given out over 47,000 new books.  The books which are used in the programme are Oaky and the Sun and Oaky the Happy Tree which are both inspirational stories written by Athol Williams who grew up in Mitchells Plain. Children need to read in order to ‘rise’ despite their circumstances. In Mitchells Plain, children face many challenges including gangs and drugs. “We believe that children who read, will excel at school and go on to become constructive citizens.” says Lock.

The non-profit relies on sponsorships from individuals, trusts and corporates in order to conduct their classroom programmes in schools.

“We are delighted to partner with Liberty Promenade this literacy month, so that we can visit the Grade 2 and 3 classes at Searidge Primary School.” says Lock. Staff from Liberty Promenade joined the school visits to read to the learners. “It is always wonderful to have the sponsors, especially those in the community, join us at the schools, so that they can experience the magic in the class themselves by reading to the children and handing out the books which they sponsored. The children are always so happy and grateful to get their new books and it will be a day that they won’t forget.”

Dorothea Wright, Liberty Promenade General Manager says “Reading with your child from an early age has many benefits, and Liberty Promenade would like to encourage parents to spend time reading with their children when they are young as this helps to develop their young brains, instils a love of learning, encourages better concentration, ignites their creativity and imagination, grows their self-confidence and independence. In fact, it is one of the most important things you can do for a child to prepare them for school, business and life. It also helps them grow up to be better communicators, both orally and written, with better grammar and a richer vocabulary. As an added benefit, it’s a wonderful way to spend enjoyable and precious time with your children.”