IN celebration of South African Library Week (March 17-23), H&M South Africa and local non-profit trust, The LEARN Project, based in Sunningdale, opened a newly refurbished library at HP Ngwenya Public Primary School in Chesterville.

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This initiative was made possible by a R700 000 donation from H&M to The LEARN Project, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving education through books and literacy.

The donation is part of the trust’s ‘A Bag for Change’ initiative, which promotes sustainability while supporting local communities. Under this programme, customers pay R2.50 for paper shopping bags, encouraging reusable alternatives and reducing environmental impact.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from these sales are donated to non-profit organisations that drive positive change.

The LEARN Project’s mission is to place a book in the hands of every learner, cultivating a lifelong love for reading and learning. By providing schools in need with reading materials and establishing sustainable libraries and classroom book corners, the organisation ensures that underprivileged learners have access to essential educational resources.

“The LEARN Project is dedicated to inspiring hope, driving change, and transforming lives through the power of literacy. We believe that readers become leaders, and leaders build nations. By providing access to a sustainable library filled with diverse and engaging books, we are helping to shape the next generation of leaders,” said Ros Toerien, founder of The LEARN Project.

Through this partnership, HP Ngwenya Primary has gained a fully functional school library and dedicated book corners in each of its 11 Foundation Phase classrooms, offering an enriched learning environment.

Key improvements include a refurbished classroom transformed into a fully functional library, featuring new bookshelves, repaired flooring, an air conditioner, fresh paint, electrical upgrades, and custom tables and chairs.

The book collection was also expanded by a total of 2 262 books in both English and isiZulu. There is also now a dedicated sensory therapy room equipped with story boxes, sensory learning resources, educational games, and puzzles.

Each library initiative marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between The LEARN Project and the school.

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