GEORGE NEWS - It is rare to find young people spending their time on weekends volunteering to help those in need.
It takes a special kind of young person to help tackle the problem of the low literacy level of South Africans.
Just over three million South Africans remain illiterate, according to Statistics South Africa.
Research results released by the University of Pretoria in December 2017 indicate that eight out of 10 pupils in Grade 4 cannot read at an appropriate level.
South Africa was placed last out of 50 countries in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) which included nearly 320 000 children globally. The survey also found that reading scores have not improved since 2011.
Taking note of these statistics Olwethu Sotshantsha (23) from Thembalethu is determined to turn things around by volunteering her time every Saturday to teach local children reading, writing and basic mathematics.
Even though she never had an opportunity to further her studies after matric due to financial reasons, education has always been close to her heart.
Olwethu Sotshantsha (in the back, holding a child) with some of the kids she helps to educate.
She said she has always had a passion for helping children and helping out wherever she can in the community. "Some children in the community are really struggling to write and spell basic words. Basic calculations such as division and multiples are also a challenge. For some children, the only time they see a book is when they are at school and there's no one to help them after school.
"These factors and my love of education made me start the Masikhanye Literacy Project, where children don't only learn but are also kept away from unfavourable activities," said Sotshantsha.
Olwethu Sotshantsha plays educational games with the kids at the Thembalethu Stadium.
She wants to see her project grow and reach out to as many children in Thembalethu as possible. Currently she is operating at the Thembalethu Stadium every Saturday. She can be contacted on 071 084 3892.
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