Mrs Africa Continental Finalist Diana Robertson-Tsotetsi embarked on a journey a year ago to have a library at Eldorado Park Primary School.

“As an educator at the school, the need to read and the importance of a culture of reading needed to be established at our school.

“Our children cannot read adequately and they don’t have much of an interest in reading, thus making learning difficult. Reading is the key to learning and I wanted to do something about it,” she said.

Diana approached various companies and after many ‘no’s’and ‘maybe’s’ the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Science finally agreed.

Professor Debra Meyer, the executive dean was interested in the project and soon afterwards, Dagbreek Trust and Standard Bank’s information technology division became involved and the library container was purchased.

“I had a book drive and even requested books on social media, but this attempt was not very effective. I received books from close friends and family but needed enough books to cater for 1300 learners and I needed appropriate books for primary school level,” she added.

The assistance from Media24 was sufficient as they donated reading material and books that were educational and appropriate for learning.

“I am very proud of the library and that it was more than just words or empty promises, by God’s grace and favour it came to pass. All learners from grades R to Seven can now participate in exciting reading programmes and competitions.

“I do believe that now that the library is standing, programmes need to be in place to sustain it and implement the use of what it was intended for, which is to have our children read.

“I have further plans to have reading programmes in four languages to run as after-school programmes in future through the assistance of the University of Johannesburg. I am committed to my community and this project. This is only the beginning,” she said.

Continue to follow the community work that she does or to get involved in future initiatives: Mrs Africa Finalist Diana Robertson-Tsotetsi on Facebook also SMS MRS03 to 47018 to ensure that she wins the Face of Africa award. SMSes cost R2.

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