Read to Rise inspires reading at libraries during school holidays

The South African Library and Information (SALI) Trust partnered with local non-profit organisation READ to RISE to help get children in Mitchells Plain and surrounds excited about reading. Thanks to the SALI Trust’s grant, 280 children will benefit from the READ to RISE Oaky Holiday Programme in 2026.  

READ to RISE will host seven school library programmes at Westridge Public Library, Tafelsig Public Library, Town Centre Public Library, Strandfontein Public Library, Lentegeur Public Library, Rocklands Public Library and Heideveld Public Library.

280 children will attend these library programmes and each will receive a bag with an OAKY story book, activity book, pencil, bookmark, drink and snacks. The programme included the OAKY Puppet Show, storytelling and activities.

The latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read.

READ to RISE promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. The organisation hopes to inspire children to read with a fun, interactive classroom programme and gives each learner a new book to take home. “We believe that children need to read to ‘rise’ despite their circumstances. In Mitchells Plain, children face many challenges including poverty, gangs and drugs. We explain the importance of reading and encourage children to read and go to the libraries.” says Executive Director, Taryn Lock.

The SALI Trust Administrator, John van Niekerk, added that support for the development of a reading culture and libraries, through the valuable work of organisations such as Read to Rise, is very important for the Trust.

READ to RISE currently offers inspirational class programmes for learners in Early Childhood Development centres and primary schools. To date, we have conducted programmes in over 9,200 classes and given out over 417,000 new story books to learners in communities around South Africa. 

READ to RISE uses books from the OAKY Series of children’s books for their programmes. The books are written by award-winning South African poet Athol Williams. There are currently ten books in the series. Each story has a positive life lesson which will hopefully inspire these learners to lead greater lives.

READ to RISE relies on sponsorships from individuals, trusts and corporates in order to conduct their programmes. “We are grateful to sponsors like The SALI Trust for their wonderful support in assisting us to promote youth literacy in the communities that need it the most. We encourage children to read as much as they can and to visit their local libraries.” says Lock.

For more information or if you would like to assist READ to RISE in promoting youth literacy, please visit www.readtorise.org or email info@readtorise.co.za

TotalEnergies EP South Africa Partners with READ to RISE to boost Literacy on the West Coast

TotalEnergies EP South Africa has partnered with non-profit organisation READ to RISE to promote reading and learning at seven primary schools on the West Coast. The partnership will benefit almost 6,000 learners.

Through the READ to RISE Class Programme, each child will participate in structured literacy sessions and receive a new storybook to take home.

The schools involved in this initiative include Eden Primary School, Doringbay Primary School, Meddelpos Primary School, St. Andrews Primary School, Panorama Primary School, St. Augustine Primary School and PW de Bruyn Primary School.

During April and May 2026, READ to RISE will deliver its class programme to 161 classes, distributing 5,924 new storybooks to learners across the seven schools. According to the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report, 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning. The latest Department of Basic Education and UNICEF South Africa Study revealed that 43% of households in South Africa have no access to books. In addition, the 2023 National Reading Survey, found that two-thirds of homes with children under age ten do not have a single children’s book, and only 10% have more than ten books. This means most South African children arrive at school without important early home learning experiences.

READ to RISE aims to ignite a lifelong love of reading in children through its interactive class programmes and book ownership. By placing books into the hands of children, the organisation believes learners are more likely to succeed academically and become confident and engaged members of society. It all starts with reading. READ to RISE currently works with 18,000 children at 57 primary schools and 40 ECDs in Mitchells Plain and Soweto. ‘We are very excited to partner with TotalEnergies so that we can offer our class programmes to 7 primary schools along the West Coast – reading is the first step towards getting a good education and we are grateful to partners like TotalEnergies so that we are able to reach more children around South Africa.’ says READ to RISE Executive Director, Taryn Lock.

“At TotalEnergies, we believe that education is the foundation of lasting social change. By partnering with READ to RISE, we are investing in the future of our children and helping to create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom,” said Lerato BALOYI, CSI Officer.

READ to RISE, founded in 2013, is a non-profit organisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. We hope to inspire children to read so that they can ‘rise’ above their circumstances. To date, READ to RISE has given out over 400,000 new story books. For more information, please visit www.readtorise.co.za or email info@readtorise.co.za

Read to Rise launches new ECD Programme

On 20 February 2026, READ to RISE launched its new Early Childhood Development (ECD) Class Programme at 3 Bears Educare in Portlands, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. 175 children received a new book OAKY BAKES A CAKE, which is the latest addition in the OAKY Series of 10 books. The centre also received a Mini-Library with 50 new story books appropriate for 0-6 years.

Thanks to the Tshikululu Trust, READ to RISE will be working with 2,000 children at 40 ECDs in 2026 (30 in Mitchells Plain and 10 in Soweto). Each ECD will be receiving a Mini-Library with 50 new books and the READ to RISE team will be conduct two Class Programmes at each ECD in 2026 – so each child will receive two new books.

Sadly, in South Africa, according to the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report, 81% of Grade 4 learners in South African cannot read for meaning.  The latest Department of Basic Education and UNICEF South Africa Study revealed that 43% of households in South Africa have zero access to books. The 2023 National Reading Survey, found that two-thirds of homes with children under age ten do not have a single children’s book, and only 10% have more than ten books. This means most South African children arrive at school without important early home learning experiences.

READ to RISE hopes to instil a love of reading in children through its interactive class programmes, book ownership and mini-libraries. READ to RISE currently works with 16,000 Grade 2-3 learners at 57 primary schools in Mitchells Plain and Soweto. ‘We are excited to partner with the Tshikululu Trust so that we can work offer our class programmes to ECDs in under-resourced communities – reading is the first step towards getting a good education, the earlier children love to read and have access to books the better.’ says READ to RISE Executive Director, Taryn Lock.

OAKY BAKES A CAKE is the first wordless book in the OAKY series aimed at children 0-6 years old. The book is about an acorn named Oaky who gets help from his sister, Oaket, to bake a cake. It is a fun story for children starting their reading journey. The OAKY Series is written by award-winning South African poet and academic, Athol Williams, and illustrated by Taryn Lock.

Wordless books are picture-driven narratives that tell stories entirely through illustrations, they promote literacy, critical thinking, and creativity, allowing children of all ages and language abilities to create their own stories. These books are ideal for developing comprehension, vocabulary, and visual literacy skills. 

Teacher Mia Sickle said the book will benefit children who struggle with reading words. “This book will help many children with picture reading. It is useful for children who struggle with words and taking them back to picture reading supports all age groups and encourages imagination,” she said.

READ to RISE, founded in 2013, is a non-profit organisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. We hope to inspire children to read so that they can ‘rise’ above their circumstances. To date, READ to RISE has given out over 390,000 new story books. For more information, please visit www.readtorise.co.za or email info@readtorise.co.za