It is a sad and shocking reality that 78% of South African children cannot read with comprehension by the age of 10. This is why Year Beyond, a South African partnership among the Western Cape Government, The Community Chest of Western Cape, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and various NGOs launched the “1 000 Stories Library Project – YeBoneers” programme in 2021.
It provides opportunities for unemployed youth who, after receiving training, assist local libraries with exhibitions, outreach programmes and motivate children to read with comprehension through fun and interactive reading sessions in schools and ECD (Early Childhood Development) centres.
It was piloted with 60 young people who were placed at 10 libraries within the Theewaterskloof (TWK) municipal area. Thursday 17 March saw the graduation of 30 of these young people.
The rest have not simply dropped out of the programme, but have gone on to other work opportunities within the municipality or have become economically active in other sectors.
Jacqui Boulle of the Western Cape Government Youth and After School Programme office says: “TWK Municipality was the first in the country to implement this programme. Congratulations for taking the risk and paving the way for what we hope will become a national programme. This programme is a stepping stone for the youth. It gives them wings to fly.”
TWK Executive Mayor Kallie Papier congratulated the graduates and expressed his thanks to all the role players who made the event possible. He described the programme as “marvellous and vibrant”.
Applications for the next one will open shortly.