Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, Johannesburg

ABCA delivered books to Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville (Johannesburg) by Andrea and Lauren. The school is situated between two squatter camps, in an area with socio-economic problems and gang violence. The school faces many challenges, and resources are limited due to lack of funds. Many students come from the squatter camps, and some come from homeland areas and can’t speak English which they have to learn at school. The students are fed a hot meal every day.

They were met at the school by Cyril Turton from Readers R Leaders, an organisation dedicated to helping students learn to read and develop a love of reading. He took us to a classroom of excited Grade 3 students, impatiently waiting for the moment they could peek into the boxes!

The classrooms have reading corners, and the school will circulate the ABCA books for the students to read. The school recently converted a small storeroom into a library, which mainly stores textbooks. Readers R Leaders will help the school set up a proper library system for the students to read books and take them home to read, and educate them on how to take care of the books.

Lauren Klevansky

September 2024