Readers heed the call to read

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - Many Georgians heeded the call of George Herald's reading campaign, Ordinary Magic for Madiba, to spend at least 67 minutes reading to kids on Mandela Day... and then to continue doing so every day of every year!

Former president Nelson Mandela was an enthusiastic champion of the life-changing benefits of reading and never missed a chance to encourage people to read. That is how the name of the reading campaign, now two years old, came about.

The words "ordinary magic" stress that by doing something ordinary like reading to children every day will in the long term have a magical effect on their lives - ordinary magic for our children's future.

Catch them young
The campaign instils a love of reading at a young age and therefore concentrates on preschoolers, giving them a huge advantage when they go to primary school. Of course older children are not excluded and volunteers and participants in the campaign read to older children as well.

Watch a video below.

Training sessions
To get involved in the reading campaign takes very little apart from a willingness to give of your time. You just need to start reading to the kids in your block or neighbourhood on a regular basis.

Get together a group of about 10 reading volunteers and George Herald's early childhood development expert will present a training session on how to read to the young ones for the maximum meaning, educational and entertainment value. If you struggle to find other volunteers, contact us and we will slot you in with another group for training.

New roof needed
Ordinary Magic wants to develop a fully functional reading centre and the George branch of the ACVV has offered us the use of their perfectly situated building in Parkdene, but the tired old roof needs to be replaced. We ask businesses in the building industry or any company or individual to come to our aid as we desperately need donations/labour/roofing materials to replace the roof.

Apart from the sense of fulfilment at being involved in a great project, companies and individuals who make donations will also be rewarded with marketing opportunities in the paper and online, the terms of which can be agreed on at the time.

Books
The campaign is always in need of large picture books to read to children too young to read themselves or just starting out to read. At this stage the visual component is very important. Damaged books that have been scribbled in or torn are not appropriate as we also teach children how to handle and respect books. We need donations of either appropriate books or financial donations to purchase new books. We have groups of Afrikaans, English and Xhosa children, and often the language groups are mixed.

To get involved in the Ordinary Magic for Madiba Reading Campaign, please contact Group Editors Managing Editor Ilse Schoonraad at ilse@groupeditors.co.za or on 082 724 0402. We look forward to hearing from you!

Ilse Schoonraad and ACVV chairperson Rina de Swardt at the building they want to revamp to become a reading centre. Help is needed to replace the roof to make this dream come true.

Early childhood development expert Werna Pretorius and Lawaaikamp Educare teacher Katriena James spreading the joy of reading. Photos: Wessel van Heerden