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In June 2006 Project Literacy launched the "Run Home to Read" (RHTR) family literacy project which seeks in part to remedy the absence of Early Childhood Development (ECD) practices for rural children by involving parents and caregivers in developing their children's early literacy skills so they can make the most of their formal education at school. The impact of this project is profound both because there is a need for educational improvements of any kind particularly for pre-primary school children, but also because there is a strong desire on the part of many adults to give their children a better chance than they had. Currently, Run
Home to Read is operating in the province of Limpopo where we have
trained 600 families and in March 2007 will be working with an additional
400 families. In March we piloted a smaller project in Soshanguve
targeting 100 families. Many of the caregivers are illiterate or semi-illiterate
and cannot afford to send their children to early childhood development
sites or crèches. Every week these families are visited by
our Run Home to Read staff, the Reading Champions, who work with the
caregivers on how to read to their children. The Reading Champions
utilize the Run Home to Read starter pack materials which each family
is given when they join the programme. A starter pack includes 4 storybooks,
a Caregiver Manual, an Activity Book, a Run Home to Read t-shirt,
and crayons. The materials in the starter pack guide the caregiver
on how to read to and engage their child through a series of 4 storybooks
and a variety of stimulation exercises. The Run Home to
Read project has proven to be an effective model positively impacting
both the adult caregivers and their preschool age children. As a result
of participating in Run Home to Read parents and caregivers realize
that they can play a role in their child's development regardless
of their literacy level. Their children, who previously had limited
or no access to books, are now familiar with books, and enjoy reading
and telling stories. We have learnt it's not enough to give a family
a book the Reading Champions play a critical role in providing support
to the caregiver and child who possess little prior experience with
reading. Through Run Home to Read we are fostering a culture of reading
in homes where learning to read was perceived as something only done
at school.
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Should you wish to become involved in this project please contact Yvonne Eskell-Klagsbrun: Fundraising and Communications Manager Tel: 012 323 3447 Fax: 012 324 3800 yvonne@projectliteracy.org.za |
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![]() One of the poor rural villages where Run Home To Read operates. |
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![]() "Winnie", of 4 years, tells her mother and Reading Champion the story, "Kitima". From left to right: Mother, Child (4 years), and Reading Champion |
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A
caregiver in the remote village of Spietzkop in Limpopo reads to a group
of Run Home To Read children in a local crèche.
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