Otto Foundation builds school library

THE new Protea Library at Walmer Estate Primary School was officially opened yesterday.

The library was built by the literacy-focused Otto Foundation, which said work on the renovation of a small, rarely used hall on the school property started in January.

An initial design and layout for the library was prepared by Lienkie Troskie from Vizi Architects.

“The Otto Foundation team worked with a large group of local creatives and manufacturers to bring the library design to life,” the foundation said.

“Learners were also involved in the process of creating the library by proposing names for the space with the ‘winning’ name being proposed by a Grade 3 pupil, choosing paint colours for the feature walls, and telling us which books they would like to see on the shelves.”

Walmer Estate Primary School serves about 300 learners who commute to school from lower income communities outside of the city centre.

“A small dedicated staff of educators, under the leadership of principal Denize Kellerman, has been working hard to improve the school’s literacy scores,” the foundation said.

“Kellerman approached the Otto Foundation in 2019 to request assistance in setting up a library and learning centre at the school.

“The school also receives support from the Shine Literacy Programme.

“It is also in the process of setting up a computer laboratory that would allow them to introduce e-learning programmes aimed at improving both literacy and numeracy,” it said.

It is the second library, along with the Liyabona Library at Holy Cross Primary School, the Foundation developed in partnership with the Kamvalethu Foundation

The initial catalogue of books was donated by The Bookery. |