Community Service: Literacy Programme at Sefikeng Primary: The Power of Volunteering
Each week, our interns, parent volunteers, staff, and Grade 6 and 7 children make their way to Sefikeng Primary with one aim in mind; to increase the reading ages of the Grade 0 to 3 children. We have partnered with Sefikeng Primary School to support them with a literacy programme. Sefikeng is a non-fee paying, under-resourced school located within the Leeuwkop Prison grounds. We have developed a partnership with Read for Africa to develop and support the literacy skills of the children at Sefikeng from Grade 0 to 3.
With the statistic of 80% of South Africa’s Grade 4s not reading for meaning, we believe this is a vital initiative and we have had excellent results. We follow Read for Africa’s phonographic programme, and we have actively co-ordinated and measured the programme. To evaluate impact, the children’s reading ability is assessed twice annually and to date, assessments have shown a marked increase in ability.
Lerato Mokhele, Head of the Junior Prep at Sefikeng Primary had this to say:
“I want you to know how grateful we are for the work that you are doing. Some of you may think this is a simple thing, it is not. You are empowering our learners. I have been teaching for over 25 years and with this group, when I tested the reading at the beginning of the year, because of the work that you have been doing in Gr 0, 1 and 2, I can tell you that I have learners that CAN READ! They have the reading skills, to solve their challenges. You have made my life easier and I am truly grateful. My job now is to up the game and please don’t give up on us.”
The aim of this programme is to meaningfully engage with our partner school, with a focus on education and development, and to awaken the spirit of giving in our children. We believe that continuous, meaningful engagement with the community will educate and shape our children to serve society.
