Hotel chain gives gift of reading to Alex learners
ALEXANDRA -– The partnership is grateful to have contributed to give these children a gift that will hopefully change their lives for the better, says Heidi Edson.
In honour of International Literacy Month, Sun International and five of its properties teamed up with Read to Rise and donate more than R200 000 worth of books and mini-libraries to underprivileged schools across the country.
In Gauteng, the head office of Sun International and The Maslow, both in Sandton, donated eight mini-libraries and books to the learners of Ekukhanyisweni Primary School in Alexandra valued at R70 000.
At the school, 390 eager Grades 3 and 4 learners turned up to receive their books and also had Athol William’s Oaky the Brave Acorn read to them in English, which was translated into IsiZulu as well.
The iconic resort of Sun City in the North West province, GrandWest Casino and Table Bay Hotel, both in Cape Town, Sibaya Casino in Durban and Golden Valley Casino and Lodge in Worcester made similar donations to schools in their respective areas.
“The pandemic has brought about so many challenges and heartaches for learners in our communities, so we’re extremely grateful to Sun International for partnering with Read and Rise on International Literacy Day to get children around the country, excited about books and reading,” said executive director of Read to Rise Taryn Lock.
Heidi Edson, corporate social investment manager of Sun International, said it was gratifying to see the wonder on the children’s faces soon after the reading session. “We are grateful that we can, in conjunction with Read to Rise, give these children a gift that will hopefully change their lives for the better.”
