Bonfire storytelling aims to empower Wentworth youth
Dusk perfected the scene which was complemented with a bonfire to set the mood for a storytelling evening.
A BED time story with a difference was the aim behind the first-ever stories under the tree with a bonfire in Wentworth. More than 25 children got cosy in their jammies, blankies and pillows and joined their neighbourhood peers at the flats’ parking lot on Austerville Drive on Sunday, 1 September.
“I saw an article in the SUN and got the inspiration from Mam’Gcina’s event on the Bluff about a week ago. I thought that I’d replicate that for our little ones, many who haven’t had anyone read them a bedtime story before. I reached out to the community and my pitch was that not many of our children are told stories or at least read books outside their classroom,” said organiser, Gayle Meek Baltimore.
Dusk perfected the scene which was complemented with a bonfire to set the mood for a storytelling evening, the only requirement was that the children give an attentive ear to hopefully learn something.
“The intention was to get children away from their cellphones and televisions and get them interacting with each other in a different setting. And the objective was to have them do something they haven’t done before or something they don’t do often enough like listen to someone tell a story,” she added.
Gayle conveyed her thanks to the parents who entrusted her with their children, the enthusiastic children who came in their pajamas, and their permission slips, Xam Boesman, Miss Teresa for the butterfly story as well as her neighbours, Charmain Swaartbooi and Sandra Lauder for helping with putting the event together.
And asked if there would be more events like these to come, she answered, “Hopefully yes! We just need more storytellers. I’ve had some of the kids come after school to ask if we’re going to have another storytelling evening soon. This to me shows that they enjoyed it. I’m so chuffed,” Gayle added.
The evening concluded with the children roasting marshmallows on the bonfire.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
