Observatory Girls Primary School formed part of this week’s Help2Read reading tour programme where the organisation runs volunteer reading-helper programme in schools.
The programme at Observatory school served to mark this year’s awareness of South Africa’s Library Week held annually between 19 and 23 March.
Observatory school, according to the Help2Read community literacy tutor programme manager, Smangele Mathebula, was earmarked for this year’s reading tour with the mother-daughter team, Bianca and eight-year-old Khanya Masina, who read from their co-authored book, I Love Me.
Read: MUST READ: Balfour Mall’s current hero
The youngsters’ faces were beaming with excitement as Khanya journeyed with them through the pages of her book – a story of self-love from a young African princess.
It was evident that the message was conveyed loud and clear to the children that libraries are the heart of the school, and housed within them, a great tool to access story magic.
“I Love Me shows Khanya expressing what she loves about herself, exploring every part of her body that she appreciates and what it can do,” said Mathebula.
“This book teaches young girls self-love and is a first in the Khanya Africa Literacy series. The children were literally glowing with joy and excitement at being read to; they also freely interacted with the author and the story as it was read. They were eager to chat to Khanya to find out more about her experience of writing the book,” she added.
The children really enjoyed the book and were also excited that a copy was donated to the school’s library, along with a 100 book library pack of books from Help2read.
“It’s really wonderful to work in schools and see the difference our work makes. We have a passionate team of volunteers, in our schools and in the office – the event was a great success.”
Details: Smangele Mathebula @help2read.
