Children shine at Lerato Educational Centre

SHINE Literacy Hour programme offers children the incredible gift of individualised attention, meeting them where they are while offering encouragement and support.

Melanie Marx and her team of 30 volunteers from around Joburg South come together every school term week from Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 11am, at the Lerato Educational Centre in Jacksons informal settlement.

Shine Literacy Programme is an external non-profit organisation (NPO) which began in Cape Town in 2010 from where it grew nationwide, with two centres in Gauteng.

The centres are known as chapters, and Shine Literacy partnered with Lerato Educational Centre in 2017.

Melanie said, “One volunteer sits with two children from either Grade Two or Three for one hour. The children get to do paired reading, shared reading, have a go at writing and play games.

“At the end of the year, the children graduate knowing how to read and write.”

Through this important programme, many more children in Jacksons informal settlement are being given the chance to learn to read and write and are enjoying the close relationship they have with the volunteers.

“We always try and give the children the same volunteer for the hour and a precious bond is formed between them. This gives the children a lot more confidence and we are seeing some real stars among them,” added Melanie.

“If we are able to come by more volunteers, more children will be able to learn to read and write. If you feel you can spare a few hours each week, we’d love to have you come on board and assist us with this very worthy programme.

“You don’t have to have teaching experience as training will be given. Presently, we only have women volunteers, but men are more than welcome to volunteer their assistance. Please phone me on 076 585 0809 or email melmar773@gmail.com

“Children who can read and write will grow up confidently and will be more able to go out into the workplace. It’s such a valuable asset for their futures,” added Melanie.