Introduction

help2read’s mission is to motivate the literate adult population in South Africa to pass on their skills to the
next generation, helping children to become confident readers. The key to the future of help2read is the
recruitment and development of volunteers from underprivileged communities.

What is help2read?
 help2read is a child literacy organisation based in Cape Town that operates in primary schools
through a volunteer workforce
 help2read is based on the 30 year old UK child literacy charity, Volunteer Reading Help
www.vrh.org.uk
 470 reading helpers are currently active in 100 Cape Town primary schools improving the lives of
1100 children.
 Since the start of the programme, 1 000 volunteers have been mobilised, trained and placed in
primary schools where they have provided individual assistance to more than 4 000 disadvantaged
children.

How does it work?

 We recruit and train volunteer reading helpers before placing them in primary schools, where they
help children who struggle with reading English
 Reading helpers dedicate half an hour of their time to each child, twice a week and provide them with
priceless, long-term, one-to-one care and support
 We make reading fun. We do this by combining reading and playing games.
 Volunteers don’t replace good teaching, they add to it, playing the role of literate adult in the child’s
life. The volunteer reading helper's support not only enables the children to learn to love reading but
significantly increases their levels of confidence and self esteem
Who are help2read volunteers and beneficiaries?
 97% of the learners who receive help are previously disadvantaged individuals
 52% of volunteers who offer their services to help2read are unemployed and live in disadvantaged
areas. They often volunteer as a means of participating in meaningful activities that enhance their
skills and self-esteem
 Women make up 97% of the help2read workforce

How are volunteers developed and supported?

 All volunteers receive effective, quality training that empowers and equips them with the skills to
work with struggling learners
 Training does not end following the reading helper’s placement but continues with regular refresher
workshops, the updating of training manuals, quarterly feedback sessions, and the provision of
guidance so that a volunteer’s skills and knowledge are constantly developed
 help2read support workers provide ongoing support and recognition, ensuring that volunteers are
retained and remain committed to the programme.
 The resources invested in volunteers through this programme empower them by providing them with
additional skills and confidence
 The programme also offers our volunteers the opportunity to give back to their communities and
build social networks whilst providing a valuable resource to the education system

Key Features of help2read’s success

 Training
Volunteers receive training which empowers them to work with struggling learners on a one-to-one
basis. They help and encourage the children though their positive attitude, understanding and a
commitment to work with each child for 2 half hour sessions each week for a full year.
 Support
The regular support provided by help2read support workers, ensures that volunteers are retained,
remain committed and speak highly of the programme to other potential volunteers.
 Continuing Development
Training continues well beyond the volunteer’s placement in the school with regular refresher
workshops, the updating of training manuals, book exchanges, and the provision of guidance. This
ensures that the volunteer’s skills and knowledge are constantly developed.
 Resources
help2read provides toolkits which includes: fun books, games and other materials which are quite
different from books the learner will see in the classroom. This system encourages a love of reading.

The need for help2read

 Millions of South African children and adults are illiterate, and some pass through the education
system without realising their potential.
 A recent international study, PIRLS 2006 (Progress in Reading Literacy Study) has revealed that
almost 80% of South African learners had not developed basic reading skills by the time they
reach Grade 5.