Education South Africa Project #14584

Teach Disadvantaged South African Children to Read

by help2read

Project Report | Aug 17, 2021
The Literacy Tutor Journey

By Nikki Knowler | Business Development Manager

Nthabiseng

The Literacy Tutor Journey

A mid-year reflection has allowed us to assess the impact of the work we have completed thus far while building a picture of what still needs to be done. One of the primary goals of the Help2read Literacy Tutor Programme is providing unemployed young people with a stepping stone into full-time meaningful work or further education. The Literacy Tutor programme operates in schools in Khayelitsha, The Cape Winelands, Strandfontein, Diepsloot and Alexandra and only employs young people residing in these areas. Often access to opportunities, like Tertiary education is a challenge in these areas due to limited resources, poverty and socio-economic exclusion. Looking back at the 2021 Literacy Tutor Programme, we would like to shine the light on the young people who have enrolled to study further and together celebrate the drive of all the Help2read Literacy Tutors.

An overview of what some of the LTs are studying:

Bridget

Early Childhood Development

I am in the first year of my diploma in Early Childhood Development focusing on grade R education. I am passionate about teaching. I love to empower and uplift people. Choosing this career path was an easy decision for me because I am committed to bringing change to people's lives.

Help2read has helped me build confidence and gain valuable experience in the field of education. Specifically conducting the one-on-one sessions which have been a great practical tool because it helps me understand my studies better.

Polite

Bachelor of Education

I am currently studying for a Bachelor of Education. My priority is to build a better nation. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and skills. I want to positively impact children's lives as a Maths teacher.

Joining Help2Read helped me gain valuable work experience in the field of education. Help2Read helped me ignite my passion which has encouraged me to study.

Siphiwe

BA in Communication Science

I am passionate about communications, especially marketing. I want to pursue a career in Public Relations or Marketing.

Being a part of Help2read has helped me with my studies. I have incorporated what I do in my sessions into my studies. I have gained time management skills and my revision tactics are on another level. I'm grateful for this opportunity.

Zusiphe

Bachelors degree in Intermediate Phase Education

I am studying for a Bachelors degree in Intermediate Phase education. I have chosen to study towards a BEd because of my passion for childhood development and also as a gesture of giving back to the community.

Joining Help2read has confirmed that I am on the right career path and it has motivated me to strive even further. Help2read has given me a platform and a preview of how it feels dealing with children and as an aspiring educator, I have learned to be emotional intelligent through the Help2read training.

Sange

Hospitality and Catering

I am studying for a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering Services. I always loved baking with my mom when I was young. In the kitchen with my mom is where my passion for the catering industry developed. I didn’t just want to bake. I want the whole package, cooking, baking and catering.

Shyllet

BCOMPT in Internal Auditing

I am currently studying for a BCOMPT in Internal Auditing at the University of South Africa. I chose a career in this field because I want to understand how a business works, improve my analytic ability, gain leadership skills, be a great learner, and become a great communicator. I think these skills will help me in the future as I want to start my own business.

Help2read has supported me and been with me through my studies. I am so grateful for this. There was a point when I wanted to quit my studies but Help2read encouraged me to move forward with my studies. I am ready to go take out into the world and gasp any learning opportunity.

Nthabiseng

Public Administration

I am currently studying Public Administration at IQ Academy. I selected to study Public Administration because I want to understand public sector principles, policies and ethics.

Help2Read has indeed encouraged me to study further. I have realised that taking a step to do something when there is an opportunity is a privilege and that not everyone is given a chance to utilise their skills.

Lehlabile

Bachelor of Education

I am studying for a Bachelor of Education Degree. I have chosen to study education because I want to take part in shaping the next generation. I also saw a growing demand for teachers in my community. I believe education builds on my strengths.

Help2Read has encouraged me to study hard and it has given me the practical way of knowing how to work with children.

Thabiso

Bachelor of Arts majoring in Law

I am studying for a BA(LAW) at WITS. Growing up in a community plagued by injustice and inequality has prompted me to study law. I have always been passionate about advocating for human rights.

Working with learners at Help2Read has inspired me to study further. Being able to practice within the legal field will enable me to promote and attempt to amend the social injustice which occurs in my community.

Monifah

Human Resources (N4)

I am a Senior Literacy Tutor at Wemmershoek Primary and I am currently studying Human Resource N4. I have chosen to study HR because of the job diversity. Studying HR open doors and not just in the field itself. It offers itself to a variety of career paths and job positions. Another reason is job satisfaction. I think I would have a positive impact in the workplace. Aspects of HR such as the employment process, promoting from within, improving salaries and benefits, and improvements in the workplace, will be rewarding.

The main reason I chose to study is to become someone. To be a young mother who made something of herself so she and her family can have a better future.

Joining Help2read has encouraged me to study further. The training Help2read has provided so far was beneficial. I have been taught so much at Help2read that is helping me with my studies.

Faith

Financial Management

I am studying Financial Management. I chose to study this course because one day I would like to see myself as a business advisor or owning my very own bank, helping people with their financial problems. Since I’ve seen that the most important thing that we need to know is to know how to handle our money, and how to grow your business into a big business or company.

Joining help2read has encouraged me to continue with my studies because Help2read is all about improving lives through studying. Help2read is pushing us to improve our skills by providing training. They have encouraged me to go back to school.

Moloko

L.L.B

I am studying for an L.L.B (law). I have chosen to study law because I have a passion for debating social issues. This is a career where I can help people from marginalized communities.

Help2Read has encouraged me to read more books and gain more general knowledge. With the help of submitting book reviews every month, it has encouraged me to become a book worm - this definitely has helped me with my studies.

Sharney

Early Childhood Develoment

I am a Senior Literacy Tutor at Simondium Primary. I am currently studying Early Childhood Development at Oxbridge Academy. I have chosen to study Early Childhood Development because of my love for children. I want to continue working with children. Studying early Childhood Development helps me a lot as a young mother. The other reason I started studying is that working with children makes me feel calm and centred. While working for Help2read I have gained more experience especially working with small children.

Joining Help2Read has encouraged me a lot. There is so much support from my team. This has made me realise that I have to become someone in life. The training that I have attended at Help2Read has been very beneficial for my life journey. Help2Read has taught me so much and I can implement it in my studies. Thank you Help2Read!

Zonke

Early Childhood Development

I am studying Early Childhood Development. It has always been my dream to be a Foundation Phase teacher so I thought that I should start with the foundation first by being a grade R teacher. I believe my purpose is to protect children’s rights. I want to work with children to develop their full cognitive, emotional and social potential.

Working with Help2read has been an amazing journey where I experience personal growth. It has made a good impact on my life. I can say this with confidence that I have developed new skills.

Shyllet

Zonke

Sharney

Sange

Lehlabile

Links:

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Apr 2, 2019
Up Close with the 2019 LT's

By Gina Aphane | PR, Media, Marketing & Campaigns Officer

WC LT's in After School Game Changers Training

It is already the end of a very busy first term and we are proud to introduce the 2019 Community Literacy Tutors.

After the recruitment and selection process in January, a total of 54 young people (aged 18 -35) have received the help2read Core Training. help2read core training is essential for LTs to not only understand the issues and challenges of literacy but to equip them with critical tools such as child protection, personal effectiveness before delivering one-on-one reading support.

In addition to developing young people’s skills that enable them to provide critical Reading Support to learners, the Community Literacy Programme focuses on developing youths’ professional and personal skills which help them to access career opportunities in the future. Through help2read partner organizations, additional training and workshops equip LT’s with skills to facilitate help2read Reading Clubs.

In the Western Cape, we are pleased that during term 1, Literacy Tutors received training from the After School Game Changers Programme (AS GC). This is a joint initiative in partnership with the City of Cape Town and a number of NGO’s active since 2017. The objective is to increase learner participation in after-school activities at low-fee/no-fee paying schools in order to improve learner outcomes and reduce absenteeism. help2read Community Literacy Tutor Programme offers Reading Clubs which are coordinated by LT’s as an after-school activity. The help2read recognizes that Community Literacy Tutors’ participation in the AS GC Practitioner Training is crucial for the effective facilitation of active and engaging Reading Clubs at their schools.

In Gauteng, Diepsloot LTs participated in the Constitution Hill Human Rights Day Festival Workshops held on Fri 22, March 2019. Team Leader, Sibongile had this to say about her involvement; “I enjoyed the cohesive NGO workshop because it taught us how to run or lead an organisation and also how to approach Donors and sponsors. I would like to thank help2read for granting me the opportunity to learn more about my work and the rights we have as NGOs“.

Human Rights Day help2read & Constitution Hill Partnership

From 21-24 March 2019 Constitution Hill hosted the 2nd Edition of the Human Rights Festival which comprised of 4 days of activism, conversations, art, culture, exhibitions, books, poetry, comedy, film, food, markets and music, celebrating, promoting and defending human rights. The festival aimed to build greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry in the realisation of human rights.

help2read participated by attending three workshops and partnered with Constitution Hill to facilitate fun reading activities at the Kiddies Corner (Kids Zone) on Saturday 23 March. We are pleased that our Community Literacy Tutor Team Leader Sibongile from Diepsloot attended two out of the four Workshops offered on Friday, 22 March. Having attended both the Bill of Rights and Cohesive NGO Methodical Approach Workshops, she has benefitted from the learnings which are relevant to her continued work with children at school and has gained a greater awareness of children’s rights.

The Human Rights Day Festival was a family event and the Diepsloot Community Literacy Tutors ensured that children could play and showcase their rights to play and learn in a safe environment. Entertainment was abundant, ranging from interactive reading activities, to colourful Lego building tables. Throughout the day children, were treated to engaging playful learning opportunities which included Puppet shows, Art and Drumming Circles which celebrated as well as emphasised the promotion and advancement of human rights.

This year we welcome back the returning tutors and introduce the new team leaders who have been promoted to leadership roles. Together with help2read staff, the Team Leaders will work collaboratively to design activities and programmes that promote learning through play to ensure that a reading culture is strongly nurtured in the children at their schools. Help2read strongly believes that children who read, thrive, and the reading support and guidance the LTs will provide throughout the year will have lasting benefits

After School Game Changers Training (Western Cape)

SA Library Week - Groenendal Library Activities

Story Telling: Conhill Human Rights Festival

Lego Building Table: Conhill Human Rights Festival

Reading Table: Conhil Human Rights Festival

2019 Western Cape Literacy Tutors Team

2019 Diepsloot Literacy Tutors Team (Gauteng)

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