A Ray of Hope

in October 2011 - Community Caring

From a tender age you are taught that A stands for Apple, Z is for Zebra, one plus one equals two and that Egypt is situated in Africa. However,as you grow older and learn and experience more,you forget that that information, as simplistic as it seems, is what sets the basic learning foundation on which you built your education.It was Sir Richard Steele who coined the perfect phrase “reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Without sufficient exercise the human body cannot develop properly, similarly without stimulation the mind cannot function and develop optimally. 

However, as important as education is, many children aren’t able to afford it and are left to wander the streets, or they are placed in schools where overcrowded classrooms result in a lack of individual attention.

After over 25 years of experience as a teacher at the junior and senior primary school level,while also focusing on both special needs education and educating children with learning difficulties,it became clear to Maurita Glynn Weissenberg, founder and director of the Shine Centre,  that one of the major problems South Africa’s youth faces is illiteracy.

Maurita who had spent her early teaching career in the United Kingdom,where she played an integral part in compiling the Elton Report that focused on teaching methods and appropriate learning materials, also started her own remedial education consultancy in 1996.

“I’ve always been someone who is passionate about teaching – I won’t ever stop. The main inspiration behind the Shine Centre was my housekeeper’s son. He had already failed his grade twice, so I decided to place him in Observatory Junior School. Even there it was shocking to see that literacy was below 50 per cent, classes were too big and children struggled to keep up and so I offered voluntary remedial support to Grade Five children. But, despite the obvious potential of the children and four hours of support per week for two years, progress was minimal. I realized that intervention and support needed to happen at a much earlier age,” says Maurita.

The foundation had to be set at entry level, without knowledge of the basics a child would struggle to come to terms with the amount and intensity of the work. After realising that many children were unable to read and write beyond the Grade One or Two level, Maurita took action.

“I was looking for a project; something that would function as an early support, a program that could be implemented at entry level. So, in 2000 my dream became a reality, when the Shine Centre opened its doors to children in Grade Two and Three from underprivileged communities. They needed support and guidance to be able to progress in school.”

It took one person to make a difference and since its establishment as a registered NGO in 2006, the Shine Centre has since grown and branched out.

“We have Shine Centre’s at schools in Claremont, Observatory, Woodstock, Walmer Estate (District Six) and Green Point. Each of our centres provides literacy and language enrichment to children at a foundation phase. We assess children at the end of their Grade One year and aim to partner them up with a Learning Partner (volunteer) from the community in Grade Two, so that they have a mentor who can monitor their progress.”

 In addition, Parent Workshops are held that cover topics such as supporting literacy in the home, nutrition and stress management and volunteers, remedial and foundation phase teachers are trained and given continuous support.

“The Shine Centre gives children the opportunity to form part of a learning environment that encourages them to further their education. When you work with these children their little faces light up, their expectations are huge – each child has a spark of enthusiasm and the potential to progress and succeed,” says a passionate Maurita.

As a non-profit organisation, the Shine Centre depends on the financial support provided by donations and sponsorships.

“Funding comes both from corporates and individuals. Sponsoring a child on the Shine Programme costs either R120 per month or R1440 per year. We are also listed as a beneficiary in the WoolworthsMy Village programme, under the name the Shine Trust. You can apply for a My Village card online through www.myschool.co.za/schools/myvillage-myplanetor by telephoning the toll free number 0860 100 445. If you cannot donate money, then donate your time – volunteers are always welcomed and we also appreciate any donations of books. The books are used by children up to age nine, so books with simple text and lots of pictures will be appreciated.”

Help the Shine Centre to achieve its vision of a nation of readers!

For more information Contact the Shine Centre on 084 615 4680 or visit www.theshinecentre.org.za.