ROOM TO READ SOUTH AFRICA’S PROPOSAL TO BRIGHT KID FOUNDATION FOR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS IN LITERACY

13 AUGUST 2012

1. 1. ROOM TO READ’S BACKGROUND

Room to Read South Africa, is an NGO that is a subsidiary of an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) called Room to Read. We partner with local communities throughout the provinces of South Africa to provide quality educational opportunities to children in primary schools. We seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education empowers people to improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries and future generations. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. Organizational efforts are currently focused on four provinces viz. Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo.

Vision

Room to Read believes that world change starts with educated children ®. We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.

Mission

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and the habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

Room to Read South Africa has developed a holistic, multi-pronged Literacy intervention program to help children in gain the lifelong gift of education. Our Literacy Program includes the following:

• Reading and Writing Program – We partner with communities and Foundation Phase schools to improve the literacy levels of children by improving their reading skills. We do this through training and provision of classroom-based support of literacy teachers as well as provision of necessary literacy materials and worksheets.
• School Library Program – We establish bilingual libraries filled with local language and English children’s books, posters, maps, and other resources, and we provide several years of training on library management, sustainability, and engaging the children in library activities;
• Book Publishing Program – We source new content from local writers and illustrators and publish high-quality local language children’s books for distribution throughout our network of libraries and schools.
• Girls’ Education Program – We fund long-term educational opportunities for underprivileged young girls to ensure their ability to complete secondary school;

1. 2. ORGANISATION’S MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2006

2.1.1     Established more than 400 School Libraries in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and Eastern Cape Provinces. We managed to provide library books, furniture (shelves, chairs and desks) and library stationery such as date sheets, book pockets, accession registers and book stamps to schools in which libraries were established. We provided training and monitoring support visits to teacher-librarians and the School Governing Bodies (SGBs). At least two teachers per project school as well as two SGB members were trained in library management, usage of library resources in classrooms and library sustainability. We continue to provide monitoring and on-going support to these schools over a period of four years.

2.1.2     Published 37 Local Language titles in 11 official languages of South Africa. We identified novice writers and illustrators from both rural and urban areas and trained them in book writing and illustrations.  Best manuscripts were then selected and published. About 35 000 copies of these titles were printed and distributed to project schools, Department of Education and other NGOs. Our published book “Ujani” won a UNICEF Literary Award for being the best ECD publication of the Year for 2011/2012.

2.1.3     Together with provincial Education Departments in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, we started a Reading and Writing projects in 50 schools in 2011. In these projects, we help primary school children improve their literacy levels so they are able to read and write. We have trained primary school Literacy teachers for Grade 1 and 2 and we keep providing classroom-based support to them over a period five years.

1. 3. Proposal for partnership projects with Bright Kid Foundation to establish School Library Programs

Bright Kid Foundation (BKF) is a registered Non Profit Organisation (NPO) established in 2000.

Its mission is to provide containers converted into classrooms, libraries, health units and sports clubhouses to communities in need throughout South Africa.

Since 2000, it has delivered 192 Edutainers®™ to trained teachers throughout South Africa. Over 20,000 children have graduated from these Edutainers®.

All conversions completed by Bright Kid Foundation are MANTAG certified, which means that they are made to the highest standards, and can be placed for permanent installation. They do not have to be removed from site after six months.

Bright Kid Foundation has received an endorsement from UNICEF for its work on Early Childhood Development Centers.

Bright Kid Foundation has worked closely with Room to Read to ensure that the six meter library containers are made to the same very high standards as its renowned classrooms.

Room to Read South Africa proposes that the two organizations work together to establish School Library projects starting in 2012.

Bright Kid Foundation will be responsible for the following:

• Secure funding for six-meter containers (Booktainers®) that can be used as libraries.
• Convert containers and make them suitable for learners to use as a library. Bright Kid Foundation will ensure that they are electrified and have good ventilation
• Install bookshelves, necessary display cabinets, noticeboards, desk and library chairs for the children and librarian.

Room to Read South Africa could be responsible for the following:

• Select and train at least two teacher librarians at the targeted schools and continue to provide them with other modular trainings for three years.
• Train the principal and the SGB members on how to support the school library project at the schools. Room to Read will continue to do that for three years.
• Procure books from local publishers (MacMillan, Maskew Miller, Quali Books, Oxford University Press, Shuter & Shooter, Vivlia, etc.) worth over R 40 000 for each school. The schools will be provided with other books such as those published by Room to Read and donated ones. The total books supplied to the schools will be over 3 000 (fiction and non-fiction) over the next 3 years.
• Project schools will be provided with library stationery (book stamps, accession registers, book pockets, issue cards, etc.) worth R 1 500 for each school. This stationery will be provided to the schools on a yearly basis for the period 3 years.
• Provide monitoring and support to the schools over the 3 year-period and will be reporting on the utilization of the school libraries by both learners at the schools and other teachers (not only trained teacher librarians) on a monthly basis. This monitoring and support process will continue for 3 years when the schools are part of the project.
• Work with the school’s Management Team (principal and HODs) as well as the teacher librarians and the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to establish a School Library Committee for each school that will ensure that the libraries are properly utilised and that they add value the education of the children in the schools.

Mr. Chris Mothupi
Country Director, Room to Read
Telephone: 012 342 7350
Cellphone: 083 630 2235
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mr. Nicholas Jaff
CEO Bright Kid Foundation
Telephone: 011 786 3169 
Cellphone: 082 8524867
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.brightkidfoundation.co.za