Initially, the Reading Toolboxes were intended for use by after-school groups, reading clubs, libraries and home schooling. Recently, we have been asked to help with the dire state of reading in schools. Currently, we are running two projects in rural, under-resourced schools – Calitzdorp High School (Klein Karoo) and Okkie Smuts Primary School (in Stanford in the Overberg, where we are based). This involves a total of 100 children and is causing some excitement, including spontaneous community fundraising for new books in Calitzdorp.
The project works because it involves minimal extra work by over-stretched teachers and is child-centred – written to children and not their facilitators. The guides treat readers as being full of possibilities, able to do anything if they are just given the reading ability and interests. That understanding is the key to a better future.
In 2027, we hope to add another school in Calitzdorp, thus strengthening the community involvement and enabling cooperation between the two schools and the excellent community library.