When Athol Williams and his wife, Taryn Lock, saw the reading and literacy crisis in their home town of Mitchell\u2019s Plain they had no idea what a pillar of strength Read to Rise would become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, 10 years later, it has reached more than 300 000 learners far beyond the borders of Mitchell\u2019s Plain. In recent years, the organisation has added Soweto and other local communities to its outreach initiative, which has seen it donate age-appropriate books to foundation-phase learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Oaky<\/em> series of books penned by Athol and illustrated by Lock was their answer to the discovery of a lack of age appropriate books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nick Williams, chair of Read to Rise, thanked the attending principals for always opening their doors and welcoming volunteers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTen years ago, Athol and Taryn had something inside that was so strong for them \u2013 starting a literature NGO,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey are both strong academics and believe that with a good education, one can change one\u2019s circumstances, especially in communities like ours that have many challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Principals of Sea View Primary and host West End Primary spoke at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Erefaan Dollie of Sea View Primary said today\u2019s role models are gangsters and more positive role models, such as Athol and the team at Read to Rise need to be celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur communities don\u2019t need malls or police stations,\u201d said West End Primary School principal Clive Arries. \u201cWe need schools and NGOs like Read to Rise.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The school played host to the 10-year celebration on Tuesday 19 September, Arries described the organisation as a lighthouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dakhile Mthandana from Caradale Primary and Imaan Dir\u00e9 of West End Primary shared how receiving the Oaky books changed their lives positively, inspiring them to continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Project coordinator Roscoe Williams said after the first lesson at Meadowridge Primary School ten years ago when he, Athol and Lock saw the reaction from the children, which left a lasting impression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe started small,\u201d he said. \u201cIt took us a long time to build the relationships with the schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Struggling to bring the organisation to life, Athol at one point sold his sports cars and mansion to self-fund the organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They visit all 47 primary schools in Mitchell\u2019s Plain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLocals sponsoring one book, corporates sponsoring 10 books, that is how Read to Rise is keeping it going now,\u201d says Roscoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers are the unsung heroes, says Roscoe, who adds that helping teachers is what keeps them motivated to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Athol, who was a whistleblower in state capture, has fled the country for his safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unable to attend the event, he and Taryn both submitted a few words, read by Roscoe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taryn penned a poem about the joys of owning a book and how that book and reading can change children\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Athol says: \u201cAt Read to Rise we believe firmly in the power of stories and believe we can spark a child\u2019s inner light for greatness when we share our excitement for life, for learning, for reading with them. This is what we have been doing for the last 10 years and this is what we will keep on doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He thanked the schools for welcoming the teams into their schools to share their passion for reading with the children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur work is about reading. But, more importantly, our work is about rising. This is our hope for every learner with whom we interact. That they may develop a love for reading and that they may keep rising,\u201d says Athol.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Athol Williams and his wife, Taryn Lock, saw the reading and literacy crisis in their home town of Mitchell\u2019s Plain they had no idea what a pillar of strength Read to Rise would 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