In honor of International Literacy Month, a group of philanthropic organizations teamed up to promote reading among children in Cape Town. GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, a nonprofit organization called Living Through Learning, and Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert spearheaded the initiative.
A Generous Donation to Belhar Primary School
As part of the mission, four mobile libraries containing 600 books and essential accessories worth R170,000 were donated to Belhar Primary School. This act of kindness is just one component of GrandWest’s R438,000 commitment towards literacy projects in Cape Town schools for 2023.
A Fun-Filled Literacy Event
Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert and the GrandWest team brought a festive atmosphere to Belhar Primary School with animated readings and fun activities like face painting, juggling, balloon sculpting, dancing, and even a magic show. The children also enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by GrandWest’s skilled chef.
Extending Support to the Read to Rise Programme
In addition to the Belhar Primary School donation, GrandWest extended its support to the Read to Rise programme. The casino’s R40,000 contribution will supply 800 books and finance interactive classroom sessions for grade two learners in five primary schools in Cape Town.
Fostering a Love of Reading
GrandWest’s General Manager, Mervyn Naidoo, emphasized the importance of cultivating a love for reading in children. He explained that fostering a passion for reading and knowledge is at the heart of GrandWest’s mission. Unfortunately, many young learners only read one or two books annually, while children in grades one to four should ideally be reading 40 to 50 books per year.
Donations to Underprivileged Schools
GrandWest donated R179,000 to Valhalla Primary School in Elsies River to bolster the Reading Adventure Room, and R48,200 to St. Francis Children’s Home in Athlone to revamp their library. These donations are part of GrandWest’s commitment to enhancing education in underprivileged schools in Cape Town.
Living Through Learning’s Commitment to Education
Living Through Learning’s Managing Director, Sonja Botha, expressed her organization’s devotion to enhancing education in South Africa. With their unique teaching methodology and dedicated staff, they strive to make a meaningful impact on one child and one educator at a time.
Promoting a Lifelong Love of Reading
Through their support of various literacy projects, GrandWest hopes to establish enjoyable and inspiring spaces that ignite a lifelong love of reading among children.
