Appeal for funding to upgrade library
THE Siyazana Youth Development Fund (YDF) and Cape Flats Stories are appealing for assistance from the public to make the Parkwood community library a reality.
The two organisations have partnered with Parkwood resident, Alletta Frans, to upgrade her “house library” to a fully functional community-based library.
Frans, who also runs a feeding scheme in the area, said that when she worked as a teacher she noticed the difficulty children from her community had with reading and writing, and this led to her starting the library three years ago.
Despite the lack of a building and resources, a number of children and adults made use of the facility.
“For me it was a dream to encourage reading in this way and allow people the opportunity to read in their own community without having to travel all the way to Grassy Park or Plumstead Library,” she said.
Stanley Jacobs from Cape Flats Stories said the Parkwood community’s need for a library had been unfulfilled for too long.
Lead volunteer at the YDF, Ian Miller said the organisation had made contact with Frans and her team during their Help to Read Project (in which the YDF distributed food, masks and hand sanitiser during level 5 of the lockdown) and was appalled by the conditions in which Frans had to operate because she had no funders or a constant supply of food or books.
“Many times children sat in the rain or sun just to get a meal or an opportunity to get access to a book.
“Sadly donations for the project have come in slowly, with us not even reaching our R1 500 mark (target of R40 000).
“We, however, believe we will reach our target and finish this project before the heart of winter.
“The upgrade will ensure children learn and read in a suitable childfriendly environment, safe from the elements of nature and surrounding areas.” Miller said.
Anyone who is interested in donating towards or getting involved in the “Parkwood Gemeenskap Biblioteek” can contact Miller on 082 757 5609.