IRFF UK: August 2024 - Reading Project Inspires Africa's Poorest

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Reading Project Inspires Africa’s Poorest

South Africa’s townships are mostly urban residential areas that are severely

underdeveloped. The residents suffer from crippling poverty and persistent crime

and many are malnourished, illiterate and jobless.

This grim reality prompted IRFF-UK to step up in 2021 and support SHINE, an

educational project already underway, in the dirt-poor township of Walmer in Port

The SHINE Literacy Centre operates within the grounds of the Walmer Lower

Primary School, located in a semi-rural community near Port Elizabeth

International Airport.

It operates from two bright yellow 20-foot converted shipping containers within a

fenced-off area and teaches basic English literacy to pupils from the primary

The Situation In a recent IRFF UK catch-up on the project, SHINE manager and

headteacher Pat Hippert passionately explained the circumstances.

Headteacher Pat Hippert with a pupil at SHINE learning centre.

“The needs here are enormous. The children are growing up in an

incredible level of squalor.”

South African public schools are overcrowded, lack facilities and

have a shortage of trained teachers. Classes are rowdy with 50

pupils to a teacher.

Despite English being the language of commerce and business

(and gateway language to the rest of the world), Xhosa, Zulu and

Afrikaans are the most widely spoken languages. Thus, a major

weakness of the national education curriculum is that English is

under-taught.

Children aged between 6-9 (grades 1-3) have English lessons

lasting only between 15 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour per day.

However, from grade 4 (age 9 and up) all subjects are taught

entirely in English! In addition, national education state policy

dictates that no child up to grade 3 can be failed. As a

result, children start grade 4 thinking they are smart, only to fail

terribly in their end-of-year exams.

“It’s a nightmare and defeats the whole joy of learning. This is a huge

stumbling block.”

SHINE’s Role SHINE’s programme teaches grade 3 pupils to read English for

meaning, so rather than just pronouncing the words they can

understand them too. Additionally, the programme aligns with the

state school curriculum and operates during school hours.

Teaching is usually delivered on a ratio of one teacher to two pupils.

“We do the themes they do, and then we blend our SHINE curriculum

into it. So it’s about reinforcing all the time. We build the curriculum

together with the state school.”

Teaching is usually given on a ratio of two pupils to one teacher.

“The children get involved. They are very responsive, and for the first

time they feel acknowledged. With the language, the spoken word,

comes the building of self-confidence. That makes all the difference.”

The ability to speak and understand the English language opens up

the children’s world. Even the state schoolteachers visit the facility

to ask for guidance material and library books.

Pat works with a team of 32 native English-speaking volunteers,

many of whom are former teachers and librarians. They all love

teaching and have a vision to open up the children’s minds.

SHINE pupils learning through play with a native English-speaking volunteer.

Barriers for the Children “We cannot understand the trauma that many of these children live

with. What they have to cope with at home. For many, school is safer

Many pupils see or suffer violence in their households, so the staff

are watchful in case a child needs to be calmly reassured that

school is a safe place.

“The children are hungry when they come to school. Many have a

little sugar water for breakfast and for dinner, and they rely on school

lunch. You can’t teach a hungry stomach, you just cannot.”

Pat and her crew have water, fruit, instant soup, tea and biscuits at

the ready for the children.

Failing at school ruins the children’s confidence and they feel lost.

“It’s so easy to get involved in street gangs. Some become vagabonds

and go on to steal and loot. So, we’re empowering them with a sense of

achievement, of purpose, of well-being. The least amount of effort and

energy we put in is so enormously appreciated by the children.

Smart pupils in a photo grab with the teacher at SHINE.

We know we can do more SHINE is making a huge difference. With your support, we can

help the school embrace even more children with the joy of

education, help them feel safe in learning, and keep them off the

If you are able, please click the donation button below and help

more children SHINE.

IRFF UK currently sends around £300 per month to the SHINE

project to help cover the costs of books and school supplies, food

and clothing. Yet we want to do more and we know we can.

Whether your donation is larger or smaller, every child counts.

With thanks,

The IRFF-UK team

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Our Charity Is Focused on Period Poverty & Education Support In Africa IRFF UK is a UK-based charity for Africa operating projects across Africa with a dual focus on education and addressing period poverty. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to education for all and preventing female dropouts through the provision of menstruation products and education. Through this communities and youth are empowered and Africans are given

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Menstruation Should Not Be An Obstacle In Life As a charity for Africa, IRFF UK holds a strong promise to help underprivileged African girls facing cha llenges, especial ly period poverty, which makes it hard for them to go t o school . We are ded icated to breaking down t hese barriers by making sure these girls have what t hey need for their periods. By doing this, we empower t hese young minds, giving t hem the chance to stay in school, learn, and break free from the cycle of poverty.

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IRFF UK built Destiny Junior School in 2009. The children in the local area have thrived ever since!

IRFF UK bui lt Destiny Junior School in Ka mpa la, Uganda in 2009, and has gone on to see more t han 500 students graduates go into further education which otherwise wouldn’t have happe ned. £11 5,000 has been invested in tota l, starting from £330 a month and now at £1,150 wit h 206 stu dents in total

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We prioritise a comprehensive What sets IRFF UK apart is our approach centred on education and commitment to more than just being empowerment to uplift individuals intermediaries in fund transfers. from poverty.

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What Our Donors Are Saying

Your efforts in the areas of The Women’s Federation for World I have been happy to supp, education, health and sustainability Peace, South London, has been projects that IRFF is runnin are vital in certain countries and supporting DestinyJunior School Uganda. In particular, I ha• truly appreciated.My family will through IRFF-UK for more than 12 donated funds towards thE continue to sponsor a child at years. Our ladies sincerely had been of a perimeter wall and at DestinyJunior School in Uganda, helping to provide a better place for at Destiny School. I really a and will endeavour to support other the children of Destiny Junior School the good work IRFF has bet causes that IRFF UK informs us in Uganda. We believe Education over the years to help about. and health are the most important people/children in Africa. things for the life of the child.

Marshall de Souza Joyce Suda Destiny School Sponsor Dolores Read Destiny School Donor Destiny School Sponsor

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