READ to RISE visits 446 classes in 2016 and gives out 22,236 new books

2016 was a great year for literacy NGO READ to RISE. Classroom programmes were conducted in 446 classes in Mitchells Plain, Soweto, Tembisa, Manenberg and Bishop Lavis. A total of 22,236 new story books were handed out to these learners.

READ to RISE is a non-profit organisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. We hope to inspire children to read and give them access to new, high quality and age-appropriate story books. We visit schools to conduct our fun, interactive classroom programme to inspire learners to read. We believe that children who love reading, will excel at school and go on to become constructive members of society.

This year we introduced a second classroom programme for learners based on the book 'Oaky the Happy Tree' which is a fun, cheerful story about an oak tree named Oaky who discovers the secret to being happy. The book was written by South African poet Athol Williams and illustrated by Taryn Lock.

We thank all our sponsors, volunteers, partners and supporters for their support during the year.
Well done to our fantastic teams in Soweto and Mitchells Plain.

In 2017, we will be launching two new classroom programmes for children in the foundation phase. We hope to visit over 800 classes at 65 primary schools and give out over 35,000 new books.

If you would like to assist in any way, please contact Programme Director, Taryn Lock taryn@readtorise.co.za or visit our website for more information www.readtorise.org

READ to RISE has given a new book to every Grade 2 learner in Mitchells Plain in 2016!

A Life of Possibilities by Athol Williams - 4 November 2016

On Friday 4 November 2016, South African poet and philosopher Athol Williams gave a talk about " A Life of Possibilities" based on his latest autobiography called "Pushing Boulders".

The event took place at Erin Hall in Rondebosch and about 70 people attended.

READ to RISE was honoured to host this event. Athol is the Co-Founder and Chairman of READ to RISE.

All book sales go to READ to RISE so that more children in under-resourced communities like Mitchells Plain can get new books.

Funds on the night were raised for 139 children in Mitchells Plain!

A fantastic evening listening to Athol's wise words. Thank you to Erin Hall and to all those who attended.

To date, READ to RISE has given out over 50,000 new story books to children in need!

Every Grade 3 learner in Mitchells Plain has received an OAKY THE HAPPY TREE book in 2016!

READ to RISE Co-Founder & Chairman Athol Williams' launches autobiography 'Pushing Boulders'

On 6 October 2016, READ to RISE Co-Founder & Chairman, Athol Williams, will be launching his long-awaited autobiography called 'Pushing Boulders'.

PUSHING BOULDERS tells the extraordinary story of a Cape Town man born in an old police station during apartheid, who struggles to overcome immense political and social odds to become one of the first people ever to graduate with master’s degrees from five of the world’s top universities, including Harvard, MIT and Oxford  At the height of his successful international business career, at the age of 40, he foregoes wealth and status, sells his Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Jaguar and other luxury cars, to pursue his mission to use education to enable and inspire others to thrive.

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With frequent references to his diaries and letters, the book is written with frankness and candour so often absent in autobiographies.  It offers readers a rare insight into the life of a uniquely talented and accomplished person, revealing his doubts and heartaches as well as the secrets to his immense ability to pick himself up and soldier on.  The book reveals how his compassion for others changed his life and gave it purpose.

  

PUSHING BOULDERS is a story about pursuing dreams.  It shows that, with self-belief and resilience, you can push aside the boulders that block your path to success.  It tells a powerful and inspirational story that will leave you believing that even your most outrageous dreams are possible, and leave you energised to begin pursuing them. 

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Available now at www.theartpressbooks.com 

Book proceeds will go to READ to RISE. So for every book bought, 3 learners in an under-resourced community will receive a brand new book to take home.

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http://www.pushingboulders.org/
www.atholwilliams.com

Celebrating 3 years at READ to RISE

Can't believe that it's been 3 years since our first school visit!

Thank you to all our sponsors, partners, volunteers and supporters!

To date, we have visited 740 classes and given out over 47,000 new books to children in under-resourced communities. Together we can inspire more children to read.