"Early Literacy lasts a lifetime" is the slogan to drive our July Bonus Day with Global Giving. South Africa is currently facing a huge literacy challenge, with 78% of 10 year old children unable to read with meaning. This project will provide books for the children as well as host language and literacy workshops for parents, who receive little emotional support and advice on what they can do to give their child a start in life.
A staggering 54,7% of our poorest children in South Africa are falling behind at age 5. In other words, more than half of our poorest children are already on the back foot when starting school. This explains the literacy crisis we have in South Africa. Grade 1 teachers struggle to meet these children's learning needs and help them catch up and they sadly fall further and further behind. As a result the majority of children are not able to read for meaning after 3 years of school.
"We want our children to have the start we never had," a parent shared with us. "We know education is the future but how do we help our child?" To help address this challenge Starting Chance will host parent workshops to bring education to families and provide each and every one of the 1500 children we support with at least one age appropriate book to take home with them.
The Starting Chance program helps parents to reinforce and enhance language and literacy skills. Parents quickly realise the value they could impart to their children. Children will experience the joy of reading which will last a lifetime.
