By ALi Corbett | Project Leader
The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) shows that more than four out of our five South African Grade 4s (81 %) cannot read for meaning. It is up to each one of us to try and change that. The knock-on effect is terrifying. Illiterate adults mean a poor economy.
It starts with the early years. Children learn key building blocks for literacy through deliberate play from birth to six years. In impoverished environments, there are many barriers to this. Parents and caregivers often need help with how to help their children. Resources are few. Learning environments are inadequate. However, passion and desire to give their children opportunities are always present. Children dream of a career - will they be a doctor, fireman, nurse, or teacher? Without literacy, none of these options will be open to them.
So how do we harness the passion and change the statistic? How do we help the children to realise their dreams? In July 2023, Starting Chance embarks on our "Building Blocks for Literacy " Campaign for Mandela Month. What is Mandela Day and Month? It started n 2009 when the United Nations General Assembly declared Nelson Mandela's 18 July birthday Nelson Mandela International Day. To honour his 67 years in public service, people worldwide are called to give 67 minutes or more of their time or money to the common good.
We will be focusing on five key building blocks to build literacy:
Stories and Tales - Encourage teachers and parents to tell stories to their children and promote engagement around the stories.
Talking and listening - sharing new words, asking questions talking throughout the day with children in every situation
Activities and Play - creating space for play, using recycled objects to develop creative play.
Reading and Singing - reading books together and discussing around books, singing and playing music together
Toys and puzzles - using specific educational games to develop sequencing and pre-reading skills
Each of our 25 schools will receive "Building Blocks for Literacy" kits to ensure they can carry out the learning in the classroom.
We will run workshops for teachers, parents and principals on using the kits and developing literacy in the classroom and at home.
But we can't do this without YOU! Please join us this Mandela Month and change a child’s life forever.
R67 will go towards a book or a puzzle.
R670 will buy a kit for a school.
R6700 will pay for a workshop for 100 parents or teachers.
Thank you for your ongoing love and support for Starting Chance!
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
