In July2023, we started a pilot project that we first named ‘The Love of Reading’. This would be our first major pilot project in South Africa since 2018. This pilot project aims to reach 3,000 children in the Cape Town region whose mother tongue is isiXhosa. Our beneficiaries named this project Masifunde Sidlala, ‘Let’s have fun while reading’.
Our beneficiaries were chosen based on two criteria: they work with Xhosa children and spend time reading weekly in isiXhosa. We held our first meeting in September, gearing up for the new year to implement this project. At this meeting 6 books were chosen, including easy readers, folktales, and Bible stories. These books will be shared monthly from February to July, with one title being used each month. The organisations will run their own programmes using Little Zebra Books. During this time the organisations will meet once a month to discuss the books they have used and the books they will be using the following month.
Our beneficiaries include: Amy Foundation, Beautiful Gate, Clever Kids, iThemba School, Loxion Mobile Library, Ntshentshe Academy, and Story Club.
Interested in being a part of Masifunde Sidlala? Get in touch on our contact page.