The Link seeks volunteers
Six hundred volunteers in 20 Johannesburg schools and learning centres already give freely of their time to reach 1 100 children
The Link literacy programme needs volunteers for two hours a week to help children to make sense of language and numbers.
Six hundred volunteers in 20 Johannesburg schools and learning centres already give freely of their time to reach out to 1 100 children during term times, but the need for English and maths literacy is much greater than that.
“We would like to expand our offering and see more volunteers in more centres,” said Nicolle Allison, a coordinator at The Link.
“The more volunteers we have, the more children we can help.”
The newest centre to open was at Eastgate Primary School, but volunteers were welcome at any of the learning centres to boost literacy and numeracy.
“Children need to be able to read, and to have a foundation in English and maths in order to have a chance of making their way through the education system.
“Many of our children live in environments where the odds are heavily stacked against them, and where there is very little opportunity for them to have any help in developing and improving these core skills,” Allison said.
But how can a volunteer with no teaching experience help a child to read and do sums?
It all adds up with the pedagogic programme The Link has developed.
“We provide basic training and resources such as workbooks, games and readers, and we’ve made sure that our programme offers a structured, safe environment for both the learners and the volunteers,” she said.
The one requirement necessary to be a volunteer is English fluency.
“For many of the Grade Two’s and Grade Three’s that attend the support classes, English is their second or third language”.
Allison said the Gauteng Department of Education recognised The Link’s work, and teachers at the non-profit organisation’s partner schools were supportive of The Link’s efforts.
“We consult teachers regularly,” she said.
Potential volunteers, who are fluent in English and able to commit to two hours a week during term times, can email on info@thelinkliteracyproject.co.za.
For more information visit www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za.
