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.”
