Family Literacy Project
The Family Literacy Project works in the Southern Drakensberg area of KwaZulu Natal - a rural area with few resources and little employment. It was established in March 2000 with support from the Canon Collins Trust and at the time it aimed to address the need to work with parents and teachers to ensure that young children are prepared for and excited about learning to read and write. It sought to support the adults working and living with young children to build a sense of excitement and fun around the development of literacy skills in young children.
It soon became apparent that the women attending the family literacy groups wanted to improve their own levels of literacy and in 2001 adult literacy classes were integrated into the programme.
The family literacy groups are open to any adults but the target is parents and grandparents of children attending the local pre-school. Each group meets between two and four times a week. The facilitators are chosen by the local community and trained as adult literacy teachers and early childhood development practitioners.
Although only three years have past since its inception the Family Literacy Project has made great progress, reaching hundreds of adults in Southern Drakenberg through its libraries and workshops. Storytelling sessions are now held in local schools and at a centre for children affected by AIDS, while readers and tapes that have been produced in Zulu and English allow the whole community to enjoy written language.
To download the most recent update on the activities of the Family Literacy Project click here
To download a complete list of titles published by the Family Literacy Project and an order form click here
For more information about the Family Literacy Project you could visit their website by clicking here
