Book handover events today

Family reading programme kicks off at three places in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu

THE Nal’ibali Trust NGO are starting a national book exchange programme today, to further boost their reading-for-enjoyment campaign.

The programme hopes to bring book owners together so they can pass the knowledge and enjoyment they’ve gained from the books they own to other people. The original owners will receive stickers they can write their names on, then can place the stickers inside their books before handing them over to others.

Nal’ibali’s managing director Jade Jacobsohn said: “Literacy mentors across the country will be hosting public book exchange events, where everyone is encouraged to bring and swap a book, enjoy storytelling and read-aloud sessions, and find out more about how they can read and share stories effectively with their children.”

The organisation is committed to letting children read to enjoy themselves, while helping to reduce the country’s illiteracy level. A study conducted by PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) this February found that

78% of Grade 4 pupils in South Africa are illiterate; unable to read or write properly. “Children who learn to read fluently take a flight into a whole new world, fuelled by imagination and buoyed by curiosity. We want to ensure that every child has at least one reading role model who uses reading and writing in meaningful ways with them, who encourages them to read, and who supports them through the provision of books and other literacy materials,” said Jacobsohn.

“With opportunities to browse through different books, sit down and read or page through storybooks with children or simply get chatting with other community members about the books you have read, or will be reading, the book exchange promises to be a fun activity for all ages.”

Book exchange events will take place at Siki’s Koffee Kafe in Khayelitsha between 11am and

3pm; the Gugulethu Library between 9am until 12pm; and at the Nazeema Isaacs Library in Khayelitsha between 11am and 1pm. For more information, visit www.nalibali.org