Literacy Day with UNICEF@UJ

 
     By Nkhensani Kgamedi            

     08 September 2024

“Children are the seeds of greatness; and education is the soil in which they grow.” – Desmond Tutu.

 

Ready, Set, grab your blue t-shirt and read!!!

Welcome to a world where words weave worlds, as the ink leaves the pen and flows and as the pages turn, a universe of opportunities arise, brightening up the path to a brighter tomorrow. In this dimension of written words, magic happens and with every sentence, a bridge is built, connecting hearts, minds, and souls, building communities of readers, and dreamers.

As we celebrate International Literacy Day, we are all reminded of the great importance of education especially for children. Now imagine a world where curiosity is nurtured, dreams are ignited, and every child has the chance to explore the endless opportunities that awaits them. Many children have heard great leaders and role models say, “The youth is the minds of tomorrow's leaders, innovators, and change makers – the future.” That it all begins with a single key and that key is education. Yet, for many children, this key is out of reach, keeping the doors to opportunities and success locked and therefore aspirations dwindled, and the path forward shrouded in uncertainty. This literacy day, we do not only honour the power of language to transform lives but also bring awareness to the barriers that need to be broken down in the education sector and ways to unite communities in projects that assist kids with literacy. In the symphony of literacy, every voice matters, every word counts, and every story has the power to inspire, to educate, and to uplift. Today, we embrace the beauty of literacy, a gift that keeps on giving, a journey that never ends, and a destination that is always worth exploring.

UNICEF@UJ’s literacy team which was established earlier this year, developed a programme known as ‘Now I know my ABCs’. It is rooted in becoming a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. This innovative programme is dedicated to bridging the educational divide, empowering children to overcome educational barriers, dismantle the obstacles to quality education, and reach for the key that will open doors to various opportunities; many of which will be life changing. Through the programme we're not just teaching children - we're empowering personal growth, and uplifting communities. We're fostering a love of learning, promoting academic excellence, nurturing personal growth. While building confidence and creating a generation of readers and leaders who will redefine the narrative. This is by providing the tools and support necessary for children to succeed.

Our teams’ dedication to the programme is a driving force , the passion oozing through smiles and high fives and even the little head shakes we share amongst one another when a kid’s homework has left us puzzled. We have yet measured our progress but have seen and heard the impact of not only our programme but our presence- through speeches from the kids, letters and the screams after affirmations and knocking off.

Through our collaborative efforts, creativity and commitment, the “Now I know my ABCs” has successfully launched and has been on the ground in attempt to achieve it’s goals but also build a family in Team Literacy UNICEF@UJ. The members of this wonderful team have created a safe and supportive learning environment for the kids they get to help weekly.

The teams have seen more interaction with the kids and watched some build their confidence, especially around schoolwork. Our impact extends beyond the four walls of power hour or grounds we get to play games, influencing the path of communities and making learning fun, building a love for learning

We cannot wait to see more of the impact we have made as this is only the beginning. We aspire to ensure our programme becomes a model for innovative education that all for every child to be heard and seen.