It was all smiles and stunned expressions in Kayamandi on Thursday as the TH Children’s Foundation (THCF) and United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA Stellenbosch) unveiled the refurbished library at Ikaya Primary School.
Previously a vacant container for nearly four years, the organisations worked together to create a space to encourage reading amongst the school learners.
Learners were eager to see their new books following the unveiling. PHOTO: Marecia Damons
According to Tom Renault (23), a postgraduate student at Stellenbosch University (SU) and Chairperson of THCF, both UNASA Stellenbosch and THCF believe the school learners should have a safe space to read and opportunities to borrow educational books.
“The TH Children’s Foundation decided to maximize the utility of the container-library that was donated to the school a few years back but left unused since last year. We decided to start a book club to enhance literacy and a culture of reading at the school,” says Renault.
Through initiating different projects involving learners and staff from Ikaya Primary School, THCF has maintained a relationship with the school since 2015.
The refurbishing was led by Bernadete Rawstorne (Top left) since May this year. From left: Demi Rawstorne, Caryn Wollow, Whitney Prins and Nathan Levinrad. PHOTO: Marecia Damons
“The school is where all the foundation’s activities are based [and] we see it as a point of contact with the larger Kayamandi community. The decision to revamp the unused library at the school was a natural one, as the foundation had already earned the trust of the school management,” says Nathan Levinrad (23), a Political Science honours student at SU and vice-chairperson of THCF.
According to Vanessa Mohlala (21), 3rd year Law student at SU and SiyaFunda project co-ordinator for UNASA Stellenbosch, the organisations decided to keep the library system simple.
“We decided to use a basic system of organising the books. The community we’re making it for cannot have a too advanced system, so the current system is easier for the learners and community to know how the library works.”
Members of THCF and UNASA Stellenbosch hope the new library allows learners to discover a love of reading in a safe space. PHOTO: Marecia Damons
Although both organisations were pleased with the final results, members faced several challenges in the renovation process.
“There were many books in the library when we started. [They] were either weather-beaten or inappropriate for a school library. Our biggest task was, therefore, to separate these books from those that could be used by the learners and staff of Ikaya Primary School.
“The second aspect of our operation was cataloguing the books. These activities took place over several Saturday mornings where volunteers from our foundation and from UNASA put in the hours to make the library ready to be organised,” adds Levinrad.
The unveiling was welcomed with gratitude from both learners and staff at Ikaya Primary School. PHOTO: Marecia Damons
For 2nd year BAcc LLB student at SU Lungile Mahlangu (20), the highlight of the event was witnessing the learners excitement as they walked into the library for the first time.
“Just their faces when they looked at the books and took it off the shelves made it so much better. It’s great to be able to cultivate young minds; to see a learner read a book, be excited about finishing it and talking about it.
“It might not be that big but it’s a start,” says Mahlangu.