By READ to RISE
On 18 September 2024, local non-profit organisation READ to RISE celebrated its 11th birthday. The organisation works with 20,000 Grade 2 and 3 learners every year at 50 primary schools in Mitchells Plain and Soweto. To date, the organisation has conducted over 7,600 Class Programmes and given out over 350,000 new story books.
The recent PIRLS (2021) report revealed 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa are functionally illiterate (up from 78% in 2019). The recent Department of Basic Education and UNICEF South Africa Study revealed that 43% of households in South Africa have zero access to books.
The organisation promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. Its mission is to create a nation of inspired readers. They believe that if children love to read, they will excel at school and go on to become good constructive members of society. The organisation hopes to inspire children to read through its class programmes at schools and give new story books to children to own. “We believe that book ownership can ignite a love for reading.
For many of the children, it is the first book that they will own.” Says Taryn Lock, Read to Rise Executive Director. The organisation also places Mini-Libraries in classes and conducts the OAKY Puppet Show at public libraries during school holidays. During September, the organisation has launched its 9 th Class Programme with its latest OAKY book – OAKY Hears a Song.
The story is set in Company Gardens in Cape Town and is a positive story in which Oaky discovers why the little blue bird is singing even though he has lost a loved one. There are currently 9 books in the OAKY Series, each has a positive life lesson and is written by award-winning South African poet Athol Williams who grew up in Mitchells Plain.
READ to RISE is also excited to be hosting the next Cape Flats Book Festival on 1-2 February 2025 at West End Primary School in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, to showcase authors, poets, illustrators, publishers and booksellers.
“We thank all our sponsors, partners, volunteers, supporters and wonderful team over the last 11 years – it’s been a great 11 years of inspiring children to read! We look forward to inspiring many more children together.” Says Taryn Lock.
For more information or if you are able to assist with sponsorship or partner with READ to RISE, please visit www.readtorise.org or email info@readtorise.co.za
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