Up to 9 000 years after man first learnt to write, millions of South Africans have yet to acquire the skill. They include many of the children who will shape SA's future.
Illiteracy is rife in rural areas, where thousands of under-resourced schools struggle gamely, but futilely, to provide the education children deserve. There are extraordinary stories of success against the odds, but there should be many more.
Rural children have as much potential as their urban cousins but without adequate teaching materials, in crumbling schools, and taught by often demotivated teachers, progress is difficult.
It's not surprising that reading and writing skills lag many years behind those of other children of the same age. In a modern world where communication skills rule, children without them have little hope of a promising future. Even simple items like pencils and paper are often lacking.
Children and books - What rallies are all about
It need not be so. Since 1998, Rally To Read has improved the prospects of more than 140 000 rural children.
It began with a simple goal: money provided by sponsors would buy portable classroom libraries packed with carefully selected reading books, and also fund teacher training.
These are still at the heart of Rally To Read but the programme has grown immeasurably since then. Sponsors also provide science kits, sports equipment, stationery and even management training for school principals.
Each school is supported for at least three years and independent research has shown a sustained improvement by the children - not just in reading and writing but also in self-confidence.
If you don't believe it, come and see for yourself. At no extra cost, sponsors and up to three guests (including children of any age) are invited to join us on our weekend rallies when we deliver educational materials direct to schools. Sponsors view at first hand the challenge faced by schools, and experience the gratitude of communities who welcome their visitors.
Our rallies take us into corners of the country not usually seen by most South Africans. Some schools can be reached only in offroad vehicles. Though we try to ensure tracks are passable by anyone with basic offroad skills, bad weather occasionally creates treacherous conditions.
Weekends are best enjoyed by those who not only want to make a difference to SA but also want an adventure in the company of like-minded people.
For those without a suitable vehicle of their own, it is possible to hire one for the weekend. All convoys are led by experienced offroad drivers.
Rallies last from Saturday to Sunday, though some convoys leave on Friday afternoon to reach their overnight starting points.
Convoys set out before dawn on Saturday, then split up into smaller groups, each of which visits two or three schools. Everyone meets up again in the evening at a local hotel, lodge or tented camp, to exchange experiences and spend the night. Food and accommodation costs are met by Rally To Read's organisers: the McCarthy motor retail group, the FM and the Read Educational Trust.
It costs R22 000 to become a full sponsor in 2009. There are no administration costs.
The final 2009 rally programme is:
- May 9-10: Western Cape (Laingsberg/ Prince Albert), Mpumalanga 1 (Chrissiesmeer/Swazi border).
- May 16-17: North West (Zeerust/ Madikwe), Mpumalanga 2 (Amsterdam/Ermelo).
- May 22-24: Northern Cape (Kuruman).
- May 23-24: KZN North (Cathedral Peak area).
- May 29-31: Limpopo (Southern Soutpansberg).
- May 30-31: KwaZulu Natal South (Ixopo/Harding).
- June 6-7: Eastern Cape (Hogsback); Free State (Reitz/Bethlehem/Clarens).
For more details, or to become a sponsor, visit the Rally To Read website, www.rallytoread.co.za, e-mail rally@mccarthy.co.za, fax to 086-673-4470, or call rally co-ordinator Iris Francis on (031) 268-9285.
Ranking the Analysts 2009
