The Whistle Stop School (WSS) programme is a promising initiative in the fight against South Africa’s illiteracy crisis. Developed in 2017, the programme is designed to enhance reading skills among primary school learners in Makhanda, South Africa. The WSS programme was established by GADRA Education, a community organization in Makhanda, in collaboration with St Mary’s Primary School. The programme uses phonics, guided reading, and a wellresourced library to help learners grasp reading.