In the lead up to World Literacy Day on Wednesday, September 8, the Liberty Promenade Mall in Mitchells Plain recently appealed to the public to donate books as part of its #ReadDreamRepeat campaign.
The book collection drive that launched on Mandela Day aims to help boost literacy levels by providing both new and pre-loved books to six local, public, government-funded schools. Various corporate organisations and individuals have in the meantime come forward to assist with the project. An amazing 4 381 books have been donated to date, with many more expected to reach the target of collecting 6 700 books.
Six Mitchells Plain schools will benefit from this initiative. Eastville Primary, Eisleben Road Primary, Portland Primary, Searidge Park Primary, Spine Road High, and West End Primary were all the winners of Liberty Promenade’s recent Next Generation 2020 competition. These schools entered this competition in order to win a share of R60 000 to improve their facilities, however, now the #ReadDreamRepeat’s donated books will assist in expanding their currently scarce library collections.
According to the General Manager of Liberty Promenade Brenda Bibby, books are an essential ingredient in one’s journey of education, and not only do they help develop cognitive skills, language, vocabulary and imagination, they also aid in the development of a child’s brain, their ability to focus, their concentration as well as social skills and communication skills.
“We are humbled by the donations received from various members of the public as well as corporates and organisations. The bulk of the books donated to date are suitable for high schools learners. The mall, therefore, calls on donations of books that are aimed at primary school learners between the ages of 5 and 13,” Bibby indicated.
Meanwhile, books can be donated by dropping them off at either the information desk or in the food court at the Liberty Promenade Mall. There are also drop-off points at the Cape Town International Airport in both the domestic and international arrivals terminals. Heart FM, who is the media partner for the #ReadDreamRepeat campaign, have also encouraged their listeners to support the initiative, with regular updates provided. This station will broadcast live from the mall on the campaign’s closing date, Saturday, September 18 between 10 am and 2 pm.
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Picture: Supplied