A dream come true for Nkobongo children
The facility, which relies on donations, provides more than 230 children from preschool to grade 12 with meals and food parcels.
When the children at the Nkobongo resource centre near Shakaskraal were asked what they wanted most in the world, they simply said, “a library.”
This simple desire was an inspiration for centre volunteer Marion Merliss to begin her hunt for donors, and so last week a brand new library with packed shelves of donated books was opened on the premises.
The Nkobongo resource centre, previously known as Noah was founded in 2003.
The centre is currently run by Zamo Mngadi who provides a structured environment for orphans who mostly belong to child headed households.
The facility, which relies on donations, provides more than 230 children from preschool to grade 12 with meals and food parcels.
Mngadi also checks their homework and keeps a close eye on their academic performance.
While doing this she realised that many children did not speak or read in English and performed poorly at school.
Marion Merliss came to the rescue when she started volunteering at the centre two years ago.
Being a trained special needs teacher, she started a reading group as a fun way of making them comfortable with English.
“There are currently 18 volunteers who travel from around the North Coast once a week to read to the kids.
“The reading groups are focused on the grade three pupils because at this age, they should be comfortable with interacting with people.
“Each volunteer is assigned to a specific child. These children do not get one-on-one attention at school or at home and they really do love reading. We include writing activities and puzzles. It is amazing how much progress they make,” said Merliss.
The library was made possible by various companies and people who donated books, money and paint. It is to be managed by retired librarian of 35 years, Bev Forbes.
“Soon the children will start borrowing the books. This will teach them to be responsible and they can also read together with their siblings. There is no greater bond than the bond formed by sharing a book,” said Forbes.
To donate to the centre contact Zamo Mngadi at mnagyango@telkomsa.net.
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