Reading opens up the world; it gives wings to your imagination; it allows you to live more successfully in society; it is the path to a better future. And it fills your heart with joy. Yet many young South Africans, particularly at under-resourced schools, have shockingly low literacy levels.
Being able to read broadens the individual’s understanding of the world, and it is with this in mind that The Shine Centre trains volunteers to help improve the literary skills of young pupils. The NGO is dedicated to improving the lives of children in grades one and two by improving their reading and writing skills, which are fundamental to their getting the most out of their education.
Reading opens up the world; it gives wings to your imagination; it allows you to live more successfully in society; it is the path to a better future.Through hour-long sessions, Shine in a Box hopes to nurture a love of books in children and give them the confidence to continue reading even after they are no longer part of the programme. During these sessions, the pupils take part in paired reading and shared reading in which they are encouraged to read in front of their peers and share what they have learned from their tutors during one-on-one sessions.
The children also take part in literacy games such as “Have a Go” writing and word play which works to improve their associations between words and objects and phenomena. These sessions are held in Shine centres in the NGO’s partnering inner city schools and community centres.
Maurita Glynn, the director of The Shine Centre, encourages praise as a tool to motivate the children, giving them the confidence to continue with their work. “I walked into a class where children were drawing pictures to match a sentence they had written. As I commented and praised each child’s efforts their eyes just filled with delight and then the energy in the room really started buzzing,” she recalled.
The Shine Centre trains members of the public who volunteer as mentors and tutors for the children, giving these volunteers the skills needed for them to interact with the children constructively and make the most of the time they spend with each of the young pupils. The training is offered to members of the public or organisations that want to open their own Shine chapters in an attempt to extend the NGO’s reach and impact throughout South Africa.
The hour-long sessions are held twice a week. The volunteers meet at the five flagship Shine centres. Having such regular sessions allows The Shine Centre to deliver evidence-based programmes and ease the difficulties children have when learning in English, given that most of the children taking part in the programme do not speak English as a first language.
Praising the effectiveness of the sessions, Merle Rolleston, a teacher at St Agnes School in Woodstock said: “In Grade Two, 26 children were on The Shine Centre programme. Now they are in Grade Three and only six children need to go.”
The children also take part in literacy games such as “Have a Go” writing and word play which works to improve their associations between words and objects and phenomena (images: Shine Centre)Regular sessions also help to monitor the progress of the pupils and assess whether or not further literacy support is needed. The Shine centres also provide parent workshops to increase the involvement of parents in their children’s literacy development. Praise of and support for their children is encouraged.
Directors of Shine centres also meet the teachers and principals to discuss pupils’ progress. Together they monitor literacy levels and share good practices. Where children have difficulty reading because of impaired vision, The Shine Centre facilitates eye testing and the provision of spectacles.
People, companies or organisations interested in getting involved in the initiative can make a donation to The Shine Centre or sponsor a child at the cost of R135 per child per month. People willing to donate some of their time to the children can volunteer. They will be trained and then can work with the children.
Media and communications: Linda +27 (0) 79 015 9041
shinecentrecommunications@gmail.com
General enquiries: Kerry +27 (0) 84 615 4680
Community workshops: Themba +27 (0) 73 748 5645
shinecommunityprojects@gmail.com
To volunteer: Adele +27 (0) 84 615 4680
Training and Shine chapters: Carrie +27 (0) 83 785 3315
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