N E W S & V I E W S • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3 39 Reading is such an important part of our daily lives. The human mind subconsciously processes 11 million bits of information every second. We process information through hearing, reading, and seeing. 20% of our information processing is through reading. We read road marks, recipes, calendars, manuals, ingredients, books, adverts, social media, text messages – the list is endless. Now imagine a world where you don’t have the capacity to read. You lose the ability to increase your vocabulary, increase your knowledge and exercise your brain. Many learning possibilities are missed. A report from Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that eight out of ten learners in primary school do not know how to read or comprehend content. Reading is a key component in learning. If you cannot read, how do you go on to understand content in your studies? Can you complete your homework or even study on your own? In response to this reading catastrophe, Berth Drennan – former teacher – started the Midlands Library Project. With the assistance of her team, she set-up and runs libraries in schools in disadvantaged communities in the KZN Midlands area. Since the inception of the library project, 16 schools have benefited from the library service. The Midlands Library Project visits schools once a week for the purpose of lending and return of books where 2 500 – 3 000 books are generally handed out to the various schools. Learners have a library number which they use to borrow up to three books at a time. “It melts my heart to see the joy and excitement on learners faces as they choose their books” says Berth. NCT has played a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of the library services for the past ten years by sponsoring materials to the project. NCT staff also contribute to the project by donating pre-loved books – books that are cherished by learners that have developed a passion for reading. If your garage or storeroom is full of useable books gathering dust that you would like to donate, please contact Mfundo (mfundo@nctforest.com) for information on drop-off. New or old books suitable for kids in grade 1–12 are welcome. “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore. It should be offered as a gift.” – Kate DiCamillo Book colour coding Denis Drenan receivces donations fom NCT staff Book lovers collecting their weekly batch of reading Leaners help Berth Drenan arrange the newly set-up library space
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