November 2024

This past Thursday, the Bitou 10 Foundation marked a significant milestone — 10 incredible years of the Reading and English Project! What started in 2015 with the goal of supporting our Kwanokuthula learners through weekly intervention has grown into a transformative initiative that has benefited over 3000 children.

The project’s core mission? To help learners transition from ‘Learning to Read’ to ‘Reading to Learn’ — a crucial shift as they move from isiXhosa to English in Grade 4. With more than 250 volunteers trained over the years and 30 dedicated volunteers actively involved this year, we’ve seen the difference that consistent, early intervention can make. Volunteers, your commitment, patience, and passion have been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for being a driving force behind the success of this program!

A huge thank you to Pippa Ford and her team who run this program with such dedication and heart, and to our generous donors whose support continues to make this initiative possible.

From providing Literacy Packs to over 500 learners and offering weekly access to our Library for 120 children, the impact of this program has been life-changing. The positive results speak for themselves, with learners gaining the skills they need to confidently engage with the curriculum and pursue their full potential.

Here’s to 10 years of progress, learning, and growth — and to many more to come! Together, we are truly making a difference in the lives of these young learners.