Local schools receive fully equipped mobile libraries

Aquafresh has made a wonderful contribution to the educational journey of learners at Emseni Primary and Mara Primary schools by donating mobile libraries filled with a diverse range of books and learning materials on November 25.

The mobile library is fully equipped and stocked with 500 books, featuring a diverse collection of titles in both English 60% and the local vernacular language 40%.

Speaking to the media, the senior brand manager at Haleon’s Aquafresh, Noxolo Figlan, said they have just started with the journey of making brush time more fun with spelling, which means they are lending a hand in helping kids be empowered through literacy.

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“We are giving away libraries using shipping containers so that’s a sustainability act. It also empowers our future generations to learn better and to have access to books.

“Children in these kinds of schools only start learning English from Grade Four which means there is a big gap in our communities and country.

“This is the first step that Aquafresh is taking in helping assist kids to be more literate and help them with their childhood development,’’ said Figlan.

Figlan stated that Aquafresh has expanded its reach this year, visiting 400 schools to educate children on oral healthcare hygiene, doubling its target of 200 schools.

“When we visit schools we allow the learners to participate in the creative competition, where they use the Aquafresh box as well as tubes and make up creative arts, such as cars, houses and things that are just creative.

Emseni Primary School is one of the schools that participated and won,’’ she said.

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Figlan said they plan to return to the five schools to whom they have donated libraries next year to assess the success of the libraries and see whether this is a project they can continue.

Intermediate phase HOD at Emseni Primary School, Thoko Zikalala, said: “The school didn’t have a library so seeing this happening makes them so grateful. Learners will now be exposed to reading in a library situation.’’