Readathon 2011

Welcome back and happy new year to everyone. 2010 was a busy year for South Africa, with preparations for the soccer world cup reaching their end. South Africa hosted a world class world cup and we received praises from soccer fanatics from all over the world.

2010 was not only the year for soccer but also a great year for readers and writers all over the world. Readathon was a success thank to all our children, ambassadors and the entire team that made all the activities possible. We may not live long enough to see if South Africa could improve on their abilities to host a perfect soccer world cup but we most definitely can work on producing perfect readers and writers.

We look forward to an even better Readathon campaign for 2011. This year we get to follow the journals on a journey that were sent out. Well, READ educational trust has received a tremendous response and young writers from all over the country are sending back full journals and some are asking for more. 2011 going bigger and better.

Season's greetings

Readathon deemed a success

Children's attitudes toward reading are based around  their experiences in reading. The Readathon campaign encourages not only a literate nation but rather a nation that finds joy in reading. Throughout the campaign, the goal was to create an environment that is friendly for readers and reading.

Readathon activities included in-store readings with role models that children could identify with, school visits where children where read to and fun activities that children could enjoy while learning.

Learners from Claremont Primary school Cape Town reading to Parliament members.

Readathon encourages reading not only in schools but also in households, by letting children read to their parents. Their confidence is built so that when the time comes for them to take up seats in Parliament, They are ready to take to the podium.During the campaign children from various schools were given the opportunity to spend the day in Parliament, where they where encouraged to dream big.

Children's literacy development determines children's future success in reading and writing.

Learners pose with Speaker of Parliament , Hon Max Vuyisile Sisulu and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Education, Ms. Fatima Ismail Chohan. 

The campaign understand that teaching reading methods were not so important if learners did not have access to books so that they could master what they learn. CNA alongside READ collected books and are donating them to different school across the country that do not have easy access to reading material.

Congratulations to the CNA Readathon 2010 campaign in successfully sending out a message of literacy and encouraging confident readers. Children's confidence determines whether they can succeed or not, and their confidence in reading is built up as they read.

Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Max Vuyisile Sisulu thanks a child from EA Janari Primary School .

Readathon (The aftermath)

Wow, what a year! CNA Readathon campaign was great fun and a huge success. READ recently received some press cuttings and we would like to share these with you. 

article originally published in the North Western bonus (15 September)

 

 

 The campaign has helped many, young and old to develop a reading habit, where reading is no longer a task but rather a pleasurable experience. 

 

READ Educational Trust has gone on to welcoming a new culture that goes hand in hand with reading and the enjoyment thereof. Read KZN has planted a Reading tree at some of the schools in the area so that for generations to come, children may have a peaceful shaded are where they can sit and enjoy travelling the world in a book. 

Without literacy, education is but an unattainable goal. When one imagines an ideal world where all children are educated, we as a nation need to be aware than to achieve this we need a literate nation. Without literacy economic progress is impossible. 


Readathon, working towards a literate nation...

Field of dreams- Contribution by Derek Smith

Random acts of kindness usually have the most charming results which brings more joy to the giver than to the receiver. Last week the following chain of events left me with a feel good experience that still makes me smile.
First the back-story:
This year READ is distributing 1 000 blank journals as part of the 2010 Readathon Campaign with the following message;
"This journal is on a Journey – and we would like you to be part of it.
One thousand journals, like this one, are traveling from one person to the next throughout South Africa. Those who find them will add their stories and drawings, and then pass the journal on to someone else until the whole journal is filled.
We want you to use photos, cartoons, drawings, sketches, collage or poems to tell your story. It is all about you, who you are, where you are, what you are thinking, wanting or doing. Pen or pencil, crayon or paint. Just write something about yourself and what you do."
These journals should, when full, be handed in at a CNA store. The best entries will be judged and published as part of a journal reflecting South African life in 2010. The idea behind this campaign is to recognize the value of writing in functional literacy. 
The other part of the story was me nagging the love of my life to pose for a photograph, something she hates with a passion;
♥ Girl's daughter bought her an exquisite antique hand-embroidered Bedouin dress at the Jaffa Flea Market in Tel Aviv many moons ago. For years it's hung in the cupboard hardly ever being worn. I bought a nifty little photo-sampler Lomography camera a while ago which really relies on the alchemy of photography with four little plastic lenses firing in quick succession on 35mm film. I pleaded for days on end until Her Royal Highness sighed, flounced off, putting on the dress so that I could take some photographs in front of a mosaic in our garden. I thought the contrasting colours will work well in lomo.
Afterward this momentous photo-shoot ♥ Girl said she might as well get rid of the dress as she will never wear it again. I suggested that we either have cushion covers made of the embroidered pieces or donate it to "Bounty Hunters Charity Shop" close to our home.  But that would have been a sad waste as the dress would be special to someone that could appreciate it for what it is - a coat of many colours.     
I was quite happy with the photos and posted two on my Flickr site which then lead to the following chain of events;
On 7 September the first person posting a comment remarked;
"Oh my gosh, I SO BADLY want that outfit. I love the business of the Bedouin against the mosaic...it works here!"
When I read this I knew that karma was at play and that the dress has found a new home. I phoned ♥ Girl and asked her if I could offer it as a surprise gift which she was quite happy to do.
On 8 September I replied; "Surprise, surprise……! You can have it. My partner got this many years ago as a gift when her daughter went to Israel and she's actually never wore it. We don't know what to do with it and was thinking of getting someone to make cushion covers for us, using the dress.
Let me have your address and I'll send it to you."
Shortly thereafter I received an answer; "Oh my goodness....I literally screamed when I read your mail. You have NO idea, how much this means to me. I too am a great believer that things happen as they should." I obtained the address. This was in Vanderbijlpark,  which is close to Jozi and I I couriered it the next day.  I slipped one of "Journals on a Journey" in which I wrote an entry about the garment into the package. The parcel was delivered the same afternoon.
I then received the following e-mail:
"I already have my dress on. One of the girls in my office is currently in tears...she is so touched by the story. The book, the writing in it, the concept... I cannot stop smiling. I cannot stop thinking about how I am going to pass the book on and make someone else as happy as you have made me. I cannot stop thanking you...
And the dress was made for me in every sense of the word.
 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK you a million times over!
 PS  I was looking for a way to end my 52 week project and you gave it to me...
 Love and blessings and peace to you both!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot say thank you enough.
When the book comes back you will see all the symbolism that has come with the dress for me...the positive energy and blessing through both your kindnesses"
I didn't know what this 52-week project was all about until I saw the following photographs on Flickr with their comments:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelbeukes/

"Earlier this week I saw a photo of a Bedouin Dress on Flickr. What followed after I commented on the pic and the dress is nothing short of awesome.
Not long after the comment I got an email. To cut a  long story short a day later I got the dress and an added bonus -  a journal called, "Journal on a Journey" ...there are a 1000 copies...of which I have one in my hands...each person write their thoughts, wishes etc., and then pass it on to the next person to add their photos, drawings...etc....

I think this is such an inspiring idea and I'm ever so thankful for being involved



"My 52 weeks of self-portraits is ended by random strangers who did a small deed that to me meant a massive amount.  I feel blessed and lucky to have received such a wonderful surprise. I got this beautiful beyond words Bedouin dress in a package
It feels like I have been chosen to be part of something...along with the beyond beautiful Bedouin dress there was a "Journal on a Journey" inside the box. When I opened and read it my heart skipped a few beats and i still have not been able to stop smiling. Not only because the dress is amazing, but because i have been touched by kindness.
So I end my 52 weeks project on a complete high. I wanted to portray the feeling of freedom and lightness that i am experiencing...and I cannot wait to send my Journal on its journey."
And so the circle of life continues. Karma at play.
I know there some repetition in the comments but I'm leaving it as is otherwise otherwise the spontaneity will be lost in translation
I love it when a plan comes together and I'm sure this dress will be worn with joy and that its history will be told many times over. I also hope that the journal will complete its journey and that I'll have the privilege of seeing it again.

Tribute to Cynthia- Contribution

Tribute to Cynthia

I think that I am the oldest person at READ and have worked here for many many years so I can claim to have known Cynthia the longest. Also our friendship started even before Cynthia thought of READ.

So first I want to talk about Cynthia as a friend. All this time she has been a true friend and a great comfort and support in times of trouble, not only to me but to all who have come to her for help. She has done whatever she can to see us through some of our life shattering struggles.  So Cynthia as a friend is very important to me. There are other aspects that I want to talk about as well. 




Cynthia as a person with vision: Her vision for READ a long time ago became reality because she put determination together with her dynamic personality. She was determined to do whatever she could to help the underprivileged children of SA develop their potential and get people to help her achieve this.

The first project I worked on with Cynthia was to put reference libraries into high schools in Soweto and we needed money for the books.  I will always remember Eve Jammy , the manager of Exclusive Books at the time saying that yes, of course the business community would listen to Cynthia and provide the funds because Cynthia  was so dynamic and convincing and believed passionately  in what she was doing. And this proved to be true as we know. In all my years at READ this determination to do what she can for the children of SA has meant that many more ambitious projects like the Business Trust have been a great success.

 During our work in the high school libraries about 25 years ago I will never forget the
fright we gave a little two year old boy who took one look at us and screamed-we were the first white people this child had ever seen.  He bravely overcame his fear though when we gave him some sweets and quite liked us in the end though he wasn't quite sure what we were.

Cynthia as a developer of people: One of the qualities I most admire in Cynthia as a person is that she always sees potential in other people and gives us opportunities to grow.  The very first time I came to READ Cynthia wanted some flowers arranged. From this she somehow saw hidden abilities and I then went on to do many different jobs for READ. Cynthia has always been delighted with the success of all who work at READ and very proud of our achievements.  You just had to say that you wanted to try to do something and she would be so glad to let you have a go and her confidence gave us confidence too.

Cynthia as an intellectual: Cynthia has recognized the importance of working with world renowned experts in literacy like Professor Elley who introduced the book flood, Edie Garvey who taughtus the value of working with stories and Shelley Harwyn, a famous American teacher of creative writing and more recently Sue Ellis who gave us a wonderful workshop on using a small selection of excellent books to inspire children to read and write.  So many people like this have visited READ through the years and their vision together with Cynthia 's ability to use their work, has helped READ develop into a respected literacy organization and kept us in the mainstream of world literacy research and development.

Cynthia as an artist: When I look around at the beautiful READ building that looks like an art gallery I think of Cynthia as an artist. She has an eye for art with the wonderful prints and colours we see every day. The art and architecture of this building show us that you are an artist.  Thank you for making our working environment so lovely.
The combination of friendship, vision, generosity to develop others, intellectual and artistic ability all put together make Cynthia into a truly amazing person and this has been proved by her achievements through READ for the children of SA. I think we will all try our best to make Cynthia proud of us through continuing where she has left off and doing whatever we can for the children who need us more than ever.

Signed
Bettine Nixon

CNA Readathon 2010

What an exciting year for the CNA Readathon 2010. We've travelled the journey of 1000 tales this year with everyday of Readathon week being an unforgettable one. Join me as I share the tale.

"This year's Readathon focuses on writting journals or diaries. directed towards the learners' own world, experiences, interests and knowledge. Journal writting enables learners from the foundation phase upwards to develop a way of expressing themselves meaningfully in writting. It enables learners to look for inspiration in their own lives and thoughts and helps them generate information from their own experience. Journals are a wonderful way to help learners treasure uplifting thoughts and good experiences, deal with difficulties, pour out their innermost feelings and open their hearts"- extract from CNA Readathon 2010 handbook.

CNA Readathon 2010 launched...

 

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was a ball hosted by Read for all Readers and leaders. Gifts galore. Everyone received a smile, and a journal as they arrived for the CNA Readathon 2010 launch.



Everything was a perfect as a fairytale ending, with jazzy sounds from the band.



Kings and Queens were present at the ball, even management took time from a busy day to enjoy the night with everyone. Balanced individuals i'd say.




Guests were impressed with what they saw in the enteries from schools and individuals




Everyone felt like royalty. CNA Readathon ambassadors were more excited than some of our winners about the initiative.




Heartfelt words shared by Acting National Director of Read Educational Trust on behalf of everyone at the Read Royal House.



Read's golden girls dressed in the royal colours red and black showed fellow Readers how its done.



This shy Reader was a winner on the night but like cinderella she had to leave before the clock struck midnight.





Albert Street perfomed the Read approved play "It may be from Saturday but it's still food."



They had all eyes glued to the stage.


Readers and winners


Round of applause to all who did well on the night.


The mingle begins...





CNA Readathon Ambassador Ed Jordan shared some laughs with an old and dear friend.



What a feast!



Food fit for a queen and her little princess.



Everyone had a great time and hopes that next year's CNA Readathon will be just as great! Now 1,2,3... READ!



Emotional goodbyes, Hlubi didn't want this night to end but alas...



We will all read and write happily ever after.