Literacy NGO launch third classroom programme to inspire children to read

READ to RISE launched their third classroom programme at Westville Primary School in Mitchells Plain on Friday 24 February 2017.

READ to RISE is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2013, that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. To date, the organisation has conducted their programmes in over 870 classrooms and given out over 53,000 new books to learners in Mitchells Plain, Soweto and surrounds.

The new children’s book OAKY THE BRAVE ACORN is the third in the OAKY series of inspirational children’s stories - written by South African social philosopher and poet, Athol Williams, and illustrated by Taryn Lock. OAKY THE BRAVE ACORN is a fun story about an acorn who must take a huge leap of faith to give himself the chance to fulfil his destiny. When it counts, Oaky proves himself to be a brave acorn.

This new programme OAKY THE BRAVE ACORN is aimed at Grade 2 learners (Grade 3 where English is only taught from Grade 3). We deliver a fun, interactive session to inspire children to read. We believe that book ownership is important in igniting a child’s love for reading so give a brand new book to each learner to take home.

READ to RISE works with all 45 public primary schools in Mitchells Plain as well as 20 primary schools in Soweto (Johannesburg). This year, READ to RISE will offer four different classroom programmes - OAKY THE BRAVE ACORN, OAKY AND THE SUN, OAKY THE HAPPY TREE and the new fourth OAKY book (which will be launched in May this year). In 2016, READ to RISE conducted their programme in every Grade 2 and 3 class in 45 schools in Mitchells Plain and 20 schools in Soweto - 450 class programmes were conducted and over 17,500 learners received a new book to take home. This year, READ to RISE will conduct two class programmes per grade as we believe that more interactions with the learners will help to inspire them to read - hence 900 class programmes will be conducted and 35,000 new books will be given out. 

The author of the Oaky series, Athol Williams, grew up in Mitchells Plain and uses literacy and his writing to inspire people. Athol was named LeadSA Hero for January 2017. Athol and Taryn co-founded READ to RISE in 2013 and remain committed to literacy in South Africa.

To assist or sponsor books, please visit www.readtorise.org. READ to RISE also sells the OAKY books – for each book that is sold we are able to give a new book to a child in need. Email: info@readtorise.co.za