Oaky and the Virus

We have launched our 7th Oaky book in the Oaky Series - Oaky and the Virus - written by award-winning South African poet and social philosopher Athol Williams and illustrated by Taryn Lock.

Oaky and the Virus is an educational story about acorns Oaky and Oaket who learn how to avoid the virus when it comes to their town. There is a fun song which Oaky and Oaket sing while washing their hands.

This book is dedicated to all healthcare and emergency workers working to fight the coronavirus.

The husband and wife team are co-founders of literacy NGO Read to Rise that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities in South Africa. To date, Read to Rise has conducted over 3,600 class programmes and given out over 200,000 new story books.

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the book is free to download. Please visit www.readtorise.org to download.

Read to Rise is currently raising funds for Care Packs for 20,000 children in Mitchells Plain and Soweto in South Africa. Each Care Pack will include a cloth mask, bar of soap, Oaky and the Virus book, activity book, juice and packet of crisps. Sponsor a child for R100. Donate here:https://gogetfunding.com/care-packs-for-children-in-mitchells-plain/

Sun International inspires children in Alexandra to read

Sun International has partnered with local non-profit organisation READ to RISE to help get children excited about reading at Carter Primary School in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg.

There is a major literacy crisis in South Africa with studies revealing that 78% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, making them functionally illiterate.

Thanks to a sponsorship by Sun International, on Tuesday 5 November 2019, 445 Grade 3 and 4 learners at Carter Primary School in Alexandra, Johannesburg benefited from the READ to RISE programme. Each child received their own brand new OAKY book, bookmark an pencil to take home.

On Thursday 28 November 2019, staff from Sun International visited Carter Primary School to hand over 21 Mini-Libraries each containing 50 brand new, age appropriate story books. Thank you to The Maslow Hotel who sponsored 13 of these Mini- Libraries. In addition to this, a further 100 new books were given to the school for their existing library. That makes a total of 1,595 brand new books for the children at the school to benefit from. 450 pencil bags were also given to the learners.

“At Sun International we believe that reading is the greatest gift a child can receive. Visual learning aids also impart knowledge but books spark imaginations and encourage children to explore new ideas and possibilities inside their own minds. Reading leads to a deeper understanding of language and by improving their vocabulary, children are better able to articulate their thoughts and emotions. We support initiatives such as READ to RISE as we believe this will lead to new generations of creative and innovative thinkers.” Says Heidi Edson, Sun International.

Earlier this year on Monday 9 September 2019, in celebration of National Book Week, staff at Sun International in Sandton volunteered their time to cover books in plastic and decorated bookmarks for the learners at Carter Primary School.

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 book ownership can ignite a love for reading and work in communities like Alexandra where most children have never owned a book before. We believe that children who read, will excel at school and go on to become constructive members of society.” says Executive Director, Taryn Lock. “We believe that children need to read to ‘rise’ despite their circumstances. In Alexandra, children face many challenges including high levels of poverty. We explain the importance of reading and encourage children to read and go to the libraries.”

READ to RISE currently offers inspirational class programmes for learners in the foundational phase. To date, they have conducted programmes in over 3,300 classes and given out over 170,000 new story books to learners in communities such as Mitchells Plain (CT), Soweto (JHB) and Makhado (Limpopo).

The organisation uses 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 six books in the series. Each story has a positive life lesson which will hopefully inspire these learners to lead greater lives.

During 2019, READ to RISE worked with 30 public primary schools in Soweto and 45 public primary schools in Mitchells Plain. Carter Primary School is the first school in Alexandra that they have worked with, thanks to their collaboration with Sun International.

Being a non-profit organisation, READ TO RISE relies heavily on sponsorships from individuals, trusts and corporates in order to conduct their programmes. “We are grateful to sponsors like Sun International for their wonderful support in assisting us to promote youth literacy in the communities that need it the most.” 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

Cape Flats Book Festival creates a culture of reading

The first-ever Cape Flats Book Festival was held 31 August to 1 September 2019 at West End Primary School in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain - hosted by literacy non-profit organisation Read to Rise and proudly sponsored by Old Mutual.

The Cape Flats Book Festival showcased many local authors, illustrators, literacy NGOs and specialists, publishers and book sellers. There were book readings, talks, workshops and a puppet show. Over 1,700 people attended the Cape flats Book Festival which led up to National Book Week 2-8 September 2019.

1,500 new books were given out to attendees. A special thanks to those who donated books – Bargain Books, Bumble Bee Books, Theart Press, Women of Worth and South African Library and Information (SALI) Trust.

A wonderful weekend with 34 sessions and 42 speakers and over 30 exhibitors (including Bargain Books, Wilstan Books and LIASA). Crowds were treated to the likes of Yusuf Daniels, Athol Williams, Fatima and Gadija Sydow, Diana Ferrus and 13 year old Amr Salie. Children got to meet Oaky the Brave Acorn mascot and watch the Oaky puppet show. Children’s book author Nikki Jacobs launched her new book ‘Mean Cow’. Threre was lots of entertainment for both adults and children.

‘Establishing the Cape Flats Book Festival is an act of hope. It is like planting a tree in a desert. From the outside this may look like a pointless endeavour because trees don’t grow in a desert but those who look to the Cape Flats in hope know that this is not a desert, that there are hidden lakes and gushing rivers that may not be seen but are there nonetheless.’ says Read to Rise Chairman Athol Williams. ‘Only a tree of hope can call these waters to its roots. And so this tree will flourish and soon there’ll be a whole thriving lush forest of inspiration, of imagination, of innovation and indeed, of hope. This is no ordinary book festival, it comes with a vision of transforming a seeming desert into a magnificent forest. This is the Cape Flats Book Festival.’ says Williams.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Allan Winde (Western Cape Premier), Anroux Marais (Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Government), Councillor Eddie Andrews, Mr Clive Arries (West End Primary School), Savarion Arendse (Chair of Old Mutual Western Cape PMB) and Athol Williams (Read to Rise Chairman). National Champions, Harvester Primary School’s Marching Band and Choir also performed at the Opening Ceremony.

READ to RISE, founded in September 2013, works with 75 primary schools in Mitchells Plain and Soweto. To date, over 3,300 class programmes have been conducted and over 170,000 new story books have been given out – over 76,000 children have benefited from the READ to RISE programmes.

'We are grateful to Old Mutual, the speakers, exhibitors and all those who helped make the book festival a huge success. Ne need to continue to grow this culture of reading in the communities. We look forward to next year!' says Taryn Lock, Read to Rise Executive Director.

The non-profit organisation hopes to make the Cape Flats Book Festival an annual event.

For more information, please visit www.capeflatsbookfestival.com