Celebrations of the reading for enjoyment campaign Nal’ibali’s tenth birthday highlighted the fundamental need to bridge illiteracy.
Marking this milestone in the existence of the educational initiative, the Amogelang Community Reading Club in Dealesville held a pop-up book party for children and parents on Friday (24/06). The club caters for residents of Soutpan’s township of Ikgomotseng.
Nal’ibali has seen the active participation of both children and parents, also in this community, thereby reaching a larger audience.
Vuisile Nombula, Nal’ibali literacy mentor, said participation at the six Nal’ibali reading clubs was growing in respect of early childhood development (ECD) centres in the two towns of Dealesville and Soutpan.
“Thus far we have a group of 40 parents and caregivers participating in the literacy development programme in both Dealesville and Soutpan. Parents support the 31 children on the literacy programme,” said Nombula.
He said each town boasted 20 parents from four ECD centres and by activating participation by parents and focusing on their ability to read, the programme encouraged both parents and children to become more involved.
Nombula works with Boniswa Mkhumbeni and Nthabiseng Kgakatsi, who work as story sparkers to cultivate a culture of learning and reading at local libraries.
He explained that they also worked to involve local libraries in the educational programme.
