Altogether 48 Overstrand Reading Champions successfully completed their YearBeyond 1 000 Stories Library Project training in Gansbaai at the end of April.
The YeBoneers, as they are called, are now going off to libraries and various schools in the Overstrand area to begin the work-experience component of the programme and develop essential skills in the workplace until November 2022.
The reading champions will support libraries and schools/ECD centres with exhibitions, outreach programmes and interactive reading sessions.
The goal is to ensure each child reads 100 stories to address the crisis of 78% of children in South Africa not being able to read with understanding by the age of 10.
The YeBoneers will be mentored by Nolene Sauls (Gansbaai/Stanford), Miralda Coert (Hermanus) and Juliana Arendse (Hawston/Kleinmond).
The YearBeyond 1 000 Stories Library Project is an initiative of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in collaboration with Overstrand Libraries.