GEORGE NEWS - The George Herald Ordinary Magic for Mandela campaign is slowly gaining momentum, but much more help from the community is needed to make this 'reading for pleasure' campaign a success.
The first identified reading venue is at the Uniting Reformed Church in Thembalethu and is still in need of shelving, curtains and cushions. George Herald staff is donating carpets and doing colourful murals. Staff members will also read to the children. Eden Lions have kindly donated a huge variety of English language books for the centre, but Xhosa language books for children are still needed.
Companies, churches or individuals willing to provide sandwich ingredients once a week for about 30 kids in the reading programme, are also asked to get on board.
With the help of the entire community, this reading centre for the youth could be the first of a multitude of centres to be established in the George municipal area.
To get involved locally with this wonderful long-term project, contact Ilse Schoonraad on 082 724 0402 / 044 874 2424 / ilse@groupeditors.co.za or Lorraine Verhagen on 044 874 2424 / lverhagen@groupeditors.co.za. To find out more about the importance of reading for pleasure and early childhood development in poorer areas, visit www.nalibali.co.za and www.diaconia.co.za.
Read a related article: Book a better George
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