In a one-room shack in Philippi, children gather every Saturday morning, eagerly awaiting storytime. Sindeka Mandoyi, the passionate storyteller behind this weekly sanctuary known as the Chosi-Chosi Book Club, opened its doors in 2019 to share her love for reading with the kids.
Despite the difficult surroundings, where crime and gangs loom large, Sindeka’s endeavour seeks to show these children that their origins need not define their destinies.
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Sindeka’s voice carries tales of enchanted worlds and heroic adventures, transporting the young minds away from the harsh realities outside.
‘It’s a place where people fail,’ she reflects on Philippi, a township that many children never leave. But her book club attempts to paint a different picture, one that extends beyond the streets they know.
The club’s origins stemmed from Sindeka reading to her nephew and his friends at home. Their hunger for stories sparked a movement, attracting more children until the space grew too confined. With the community’s support, she relocated the club to a nearby shack, offering a safe haven from the neighbourhood’s strife.
Yet, it’s not without challenges. While donations pour in, resources in isiXhosa, the children’s language, remain scarce. Sindeka translates English literature, highlighting the dire need for diverse books in local languages.
‘Language opens doors,’ she emphasises, advocating for nurturing the children’s home language as a gateway to broader literacy.
Operating independently, Sindeka funds the club from her own pocket, driven by her conviction that every child deserves access to the world of books.
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As she dreams of expansion, envisioning cargo containers for more space, her devotion to these children fuels her aspirations. For her, the club transcends storytelling; it’s a chance to shape young minds and offer hope in a place often overshadowed by adversity.