Help our children learn to Read!
Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by admin in Avusa Media News
The Sunday Times has launched a storybook campaign that aims to distribute 500,000 storybooks to 2,500 schools across the country this year.
We are asking you, our readers, advertisers and marketeers, to join the newspaper and a range of local companies to help fund the initiative. The Sunday Times Storybook is a colorful, engaging 132-page book containing 10 South African children’s stories written and illustrated by local authors and artists. It is designed to instill a love of reading, and improve skills and comprehension in primary school pupils.
The stories have been donated by Oxford University Press, Maskew Miller Longman, Macmillan and Cambridge University Press. Printing company CTP and paper suppliers Mondi Shanduka are both contributing to the project, and Cell C and Virgin Mobile have waived any SMS response revenue.
The earlier children get the hang of reading, the stronger their educational foundations. “The Sunday Times understands the importance of teaching children when they are still young,” said Mondli Makhanya, the editor of the Sunday Times. “Early childhood development is critical to ensure a better future for South Africa’s youth”.
As caring and concerned South Africans, you can help raise the money needed to publish the storybook and distribute it to schools.
How You Can Help
To donate two books, SMS “story” to 39973; each SMS costs R15. To donate four books SMS “story” to 42973; each SMS costs R30.
Readers can also club together as book clubs, schools and other community groups to sponsor multiple copies.
Companies can sponsor the storybooks as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes without going the SMS route. Email: storybook@sundaytimes.co.za for more details. The campaign ends 10 November 2009.
