KwaNdengezi Community Learning Centre & Youth Library (CLC&YL) -This project will purchase books and equipment for a library to serve the youth population of this area. This grant application is specifically to assist with the creation of an 'interim' library which will serve the community until the bigger library is built (we are hoping in 2008) with funds from other donors. All of the equipment, books, etc., will be moved at that time to the larger library and we may apply for help with the larger project once the building is ready.
None of the schools in the community have an established, resourced, library. The schools are under-funded and do not have space to create a library for their students despite believing it would be of great benefit for them. Considering the new curriculum requirements asks for ‘information literacy’ and that students be able to research independently, the way the situation stands at present, these Pinetown South children have no chance of developing all of the skills required by the new curriculum.
Our Youth Library will primarily serve the school-aged children and youth of the KwaNdengezi area, we estimate between 8500 and 10500 youth. The books stocked in the library will include textbooks and reference books which specifically support teachers’ lessons and the curriculum, as well as books of interest to youth for pleasure reading. Currently the nearest library is in Thornwood, over 10 km away – a prohibitive distance for the great majority of community members, especially children.
The library will be a refuge for children needing a quiet, safe place to study, but also so much more. The library space will be used for after-school learning classes, tutoring help, career guidance counseling, adult literacy classes, computer training and more. Teachers will be able to check out resources to use in their classrooms, thus enhancing the learning and teaching experience in local schools |
