The challenge of inspiring young, underprivileged and orphaned children in South Africa to learn to read and develop a love of books and learning, is one that social edupreneurs Matilda Sekoakoa and Lerato Kadiaka, have embraced. Their inspirational Help A Child Grow Foundation is positively and tangibly changing the lives of these children each day by collecting books and building libraries for schools in need.
LoA met with Matilda Sekoakoa and Lerato Kadiaka at their recent book drive launch held at the OPEN co-working space in Maboneng, Johannesburg, to find out more about this wonderful initiative.
The Help a Child Grow Foundation has a vision to encourage a love of learning and provide basic necessities, particularly books, to underprivileged children in the provinces of Ekurhuleni and Gauteng in South Africa. The Foundation was launched after identifying the need for these vulnerable children to learn to read at a young age, and be encouraged to understand the importance and value of education to build positive young futures.
Kwanele Primary School, Alberton
The Foundation is doing great work, building and equipping school libraries in underprivileged areas of South Africa, and its latest venture aims to support the vision set out by Nelson Mandela during his lifetime, where everyone dedicates themselves to give back to the community and make a positive difference to society. As part of Mandela Day celebrations this year in the month of July, the Help A Child Grow Foundation is asking everyone to donate books for young schoolchildren in need, as part of their library building programme. The chosen project by the Foundation as part of this initiative is the Kwanele Primary School which is located in a township in Alberton, east of Johannesburg. It urgently needs books to complete the equipping of its much-needed and highly anticipated library.
Kwanele Primary School, Alberton
The book retailer, Exclusive Books, kindly assisted in donating books for this new library in December 2014, and African Languages Books and Pan MacMillan also donated books worth a total of R1 926,96 which was great news, but unfortunately the number of books provided were not quite enough to start the library in this highly deserving but underprivileged school.
So, the Help A Child Grow Foundation Book Drive is still underway to collect as many books as possible for this deserving school. There is still time to donate books and support the building of a new library at Kwanele Primary School, and be part of what will become a truly inspirational and well-resourced place of learning, reading and encouragement for the young children who go there. These children are South Africa’s future, so it is important that they are well equipped with the knowledge, love of learning and reading, and motivation to eventually become citizens of tomorrow who can make a positive contribution to society themselves and change things for the better.
If you want to donate books to this new library, then contact the Help A Child Grow Foundation and speak to Matilda or Lerato - telephone 083 792 2176 or email
Read the startup story of Help a Child Grow Foundation here.