LEARN TO SHINE

latest press release and article in the Times, 8th December 2009

2009-12-15T22:08:00.000-08:00

(Click on image to enlarge and read).

Shine: Cape Times Article
By Jan Hofmeyr

Consecutive rounds of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation’s (IJR’s) annual SA Reconciliation Barometer Survey show that economic inequality, in the eyes of ordinary South Africans, remains the primary obstacle to bridging the country’s historical divides. Yet, over the past decade and a half this country has made little progress in narrowing the gap between rich and poor, which largely runs along the lines of the country’s historically defined population groups.

Leading economists tell us that while apartheid legislation might have been systematically abolished over this period, many of its structural roots remain resilient and continue to reproduce themselves. The harsh reality, therefore, is that while apartheid may be dead in its statutory guise, the consequences of its underlying patterns, entrenched over decades, remain alive and well. Our underperforming education system represents one of most obstinate of these inherited structural obstacles. National policy interventions have had limited impact on educational outcomes and, as such, have largely failed in fostering a sustainable and fairer distribution of the country’s wealth. Research featured in the soon to be released 2009 Transformation Audit also provides empirical proof in this regard.

The above clearly suggest that which we already know: education is in crisis. By extension though, it also implies that the longer-term imperative for national reconciliation will be profoundly affected by this inability of the education system to eradicate entrenched income distribution patterns. Given the multifaceted nature of this crisis, policy, no matter how effective, does have its limits. And even if we find the perfect formula today, a significant section of our learner population still stand in danger to become part of becoming another lost generation, unable to participate fully as citizens in the economy or the democratic structures at its disposal.

If nothing else does, this prospect should rally South Africans, regardless of their background, behind the cause to change the current trajectory of education outputs. Because we share the same future, not only the outcome of this struggle for better education to our children, but also its process, can serve to bring us together once again as a nation.

For this reason the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation has decided to extend this year’s annual Reconciliation Award to individuals and/or institutions whose passion for this cause has led them to go the extra mile for our children. The Award, which recognises the contributions of organisations, individuals, and communities to reconcile South Africans, has been awarded in 2008 to the community of Masiphumele for their attempts to reconcile a community torn by xenophobic violence, while other previous recipients include people like Tim Modise, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Brigalia Bam and Dullah and Farieda Omar.

Its choice has fallen on an organisation by the name of Shine. This non-governmental organisation provides early intervention and support to children in Grade Two and Three, who are experiencing difficulties with language and reading, and who would not otherwise have access to this kind of support. The learning is facilitated by a corps of trained volunteers, many of whom are retired teachers and other professionals. Founded in 1998 by Maurita Weissenberg, the organisation has seen 700 children graduate from the programme, while another 200 are currently enjoying the benefit of one-on-one adult mentoring by the more than 200 trained volunteers (‘learning partners’) at four centres in primary schools in the Western Cape. The mentoring helps to facilitate sound, independent learning habits and, according to an independent Western Cape Education Department evaluation, the programme has had a remarkable impact on the literacy levels of learners who have participated in it.

Throughout South Africa many communities and organisations, like Shine, have decided not to sit back and wait upon government to ‘deliver’, but to take the destiny of their country into their own hands. In honouring this organisation, the Institute also pays tribute to the many other initiatives, private and public, that share Shine’s mission to improve the educational well-being of South African learners, specifically those facing the greatest obstacles to education. Not dependent on, or seeking the national limelight, they have gone beyond rhetoric and romantic notions of reconciliation to become partners in the creation of the South Africa that we all need to aspire to. They represent the true South African spirit of struggle for a better life, which is underpinned by the belief that our humanity is inextricably linked to the lives of those with whom we share this soil.

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, together with the citizens of South Africa, salutes organisations like these. Long live Shine and all those South African institutions and individuals that share their passion.

end

Press Release by the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation, 7 December 2009

SA cannot afford another lost generation

Volunteers awarded for helping kids to read and write

A group of volunteers who are helping children, with learning difficulties from disadvantaged backgrounds, to read and write have been awarded the prestigious Reconciliation Award by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR).
The Shine Centre began in Cape Town in 1998 when remedial teacher Maurita Weissenberg realised that her housekeeper’s grandson was struggling to read. She decided to help by reading with the little boy at Observatory Junior School. From that small beginning the Shine Centre has grown to an organization of more than 200 volunteers who work with children in inner city schools.
The IJR’s Reconciliation Award recognises organisations, individuals, and communities, who through their daily work and attitude to life promote national and communal reconciliation that enable South Africans from diverse backgrounds to learn live together and to accept the dignity of their fellow citizens.
The 2007 award was extended to the community of Masiphumele for their attempts to reconcile a community torn by xenophobic violence. Other recipients include Tim Modise for getting the nation talking; to Pieter Dirk Uys for getting the nation laughing – primarily at itself; to Sibongile Khumalo and PJ Powers for helping South Africans to understand and appreciate one another’s culture through music.
The choice of an educational institution for the 2008 award was, according to the Institute, informed by the recognition that inequality remains one of the most obstinate obstacles to reconciliation, and such inequality is continuously being reinforced today by an underperforming education system. For this reason all South Africans ought to salute the contribution of civic responses, such as Shine’s and like-minded organizations, not only to improve the life chances of our children, but also to the creation of a more equitable society.
As such, Dr. Fanie du Toit, Director of the IJR, noted that the Reconciliation Award was extended to Shine because it “address structural inequalities in the education system and contributes the building of a more inclusive society.” “Another aspect of Shine’s successful programme”, said Du Toit, “is that is demonstrates the leading role that community-based initiatives will have to play in order to improve access to quality education for all learners.”

Many of Shine’s volunteers are retired teachers and other professionals. At least 700 children have taken part in the programme that offers one-on-one mentoring to the children at four centres in primary schools in the Western Cape. Two hundred children are part of the programme at present.
Says Weissenberg: “We partner with schools and use their infrastructure. Volunteers spend one-on-one time with the children during their literacy period in the morning. They spend time playing word games with the children, helping them with pared reading, doing ‘have-a-go’ writing where the child is encouraged to write, and shared reading where the child gets to pick a book they are interested in and read.”.
According to her, special relationships grow up from the interaction between volunteers and children. “It’s like a little love affair”, she says. Through their interaction with the children, barriers are broken down and there are benefits for both the volunteers and the children. So many people want to make a difference and Shine offers them a chance to do this”, said Weissenberg.

shine Skittering! A little taster... more to follow!

2009-12-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Sally, our new remedial specialist, with Lee- Joan

2009-12-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

Sally will be with us three days a week from next year, so you will see a lot of her in the centres. Welcome!

I know that she will be kept very busy! Sally has been doing some pro-bono work for us over the last few months and I know she is going to be a wonderfully effective addition to our team!

Eye wear from Eye Q, Cavendish. Sisanda and Hlela get new eye glasses.

2009-12-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Leigh Anne and Carrie continue to identify children who need glasses at our various centres.

The latest two lucky children are Sisanda and Hlela, who are seen here with Johan of Eye Q. Many thanks for the generous time and contribution of lenses, to help make our children's lives a little more comfortable and focused!

Many thanks for the generous time and contribution of lenses, to help make our children's lives a little more comfortable and focused!

Penne Tompkins, one of our Zonnebloem volunteers, delivered spectacles and cases which the Rotary Constantia have so kindly donated to us. Thank you to all involved for the co- ordination and delivery of such valuable loot!

Suraj

2009-12-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

Suraj is one of our Shine volunteers from Prestwich, who has completed several races/ marathons/ triathons in the name of Shine. He has a place in the Argus cycle race next year, so he hopes to help further raise awareness of the Shine Centre. Thank you, Suraj!

Here he is, wearing one of our Shine T shirts.

Parent Workshop 1st December 2009, Prestwich St

2009-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Over 80 Grade R parents attended our parent workshop on the 1st of Dec.Sally joined me again, and I know we both look forward to a time she is running these with the help of the school link.

We talked the parents through the sounds of the alphabet, along with the movements, the importance of paired reading, and the significance of the key 100 words.

After the workshop, their grade R children graduated, with gown and mortar board... !

The significance of these workshops cannot be under- estimated: we hand out packs that have a book in them, worksheets with the key 100 words on them, a book mark, and a step- by- step sheet on how to do paired reading, plus the sounds and actions of the alphabet.

Our hope is that by focusing on the early years, we will cut out the amount of children who end up needing to come to us in Grade 2.

End of year parties

2009-12-12T02:40:00.000-08:00

Fun end of year parties for all the Shine children were enjoyed.

Every centre had a lovely end of year celebration with the children and the volunteers. Amongst the celebration ideas, Carrie chose to do watermelon and cookies, and Leigh Anne and Mathy did cup cakes and strawberries. Every child who attends Shine received a wonderful certificate that was printed with money that was donated to The Shine Centre by The Sanlam Investment Management (a division of Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd). Thank you for this. The certificates are a wonderful way for us to thank our children for all the hard work they have put in this year, and to help encourage them in the year to come.

In addition, Leigh Anne and her team made up wonderful holiday packs for all the children in Grade 2, not just for our Shine children. Every boy and girl in Grade 2 at Zonnebloem received a pack.

This was a very generous and time- consuming exercise for the Zonnebloem team, which I know entailed Leigh Anne driving all over the Peninsula to save old magazines being pulped!

Consequently, each Grade 2 child ( over 80 of them) received at least one, if not two, quality magazines, ranging from 'The Children's National Geographic,' to the fun 'Disney' magazine.Included in the pack were pencils, puzzles and word searches, all lovingly copied and packed by Leigh Anne and her young team of helpers. Thank you for that beautifully thoughtful gesture!

The children now have something to while away hours of leisure time.

I know the children were extremely excited to receive their A4 envelope, with a seasonal motive on the outside, stuffed with goodies!

Thank you to our supporters.

2009-12-12T02:31:00.000-08:00

Shine would like to thank two organisations for their very generous donations to our cause:

Harry Trisos of Mobilety http://www.bizcommunity.com/pressoffice/mobilety

for their wonderful smsoffice bundle that we use to keep in touch with our volunteers, staff and board members.

Peter Searll and Steven Harris of Dashboard www.dashboard.co.za who have provided us with a wonderful interactive platform that we will use in our social media marketing in 2010.

With friends like you, we are growing from strength to strength. It is vital to acknowledge our thanks and appreciation for all the inout you have given us.

The South Africa community is a very powerful source of support for The Shine Centre, and we thank you all sincerely for your time, effort and commitment.

The invite to the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation

2009-11-25T12:10:00.001-08:00

You should all be receiving a copy of an invitation via e mail over the next few days: please look out for it in your inbox, and RSVP TO the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation as soon as you can!

The Henley MBA Group, November 2009

2009-11-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you Manoj, McLean, Padraic, Alex,Erica, Mia, Andrew and Nuno.......

We spent a very illuminating week with a great team, The Henley MBA group, who will be using Shine and our organisation as a basis for their final group team report in a few weeks time: we all came out of it with much wider eyes that going into it. They have passed on a fascinating interim report, which, to sum it up in one phrase, advises that we ' take stock, get great at what we do, reflect, but look forward,and smell the roses on the way... ' We quite like that advice!

Thank you to all of you for a wonderful week.

A letter in the Atlantic Sun, Nov 12th 2009

2009-11-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

WORDS CAN CHANGE WORLDS
Many thanks to Lenore Fogel, one of our Shine Prestwich volunteers, who had a letter published last week in the Atlantic Sun.

As a direct result of this letter we had at least three new potential volunteers this week for orientation. I have published the letter earlier, but I think it is worth revisiting. I am waiting for a photo of Lenore to put up on the site, if she will allow it!
You, the volunteers, are the engine of this project... without you, there would be no Shine. We would love to hear from all of you: any little anecdotes that you would like to share with us.

These story threads are what make up the Shine tapestry. By relating these rich tales, we can continue to share the ethos that makes Shine unique.

The Shine Center is a “literacy program to support children at English-speaking inner city schools whose first language is not English…”
Personally, it also happens to be my favorite of the many volunteer programs in which I have been involved. I could go on for hours about the satisfaction of working with the beautiful children at the Center and seeing their smiles and excitement, but it would pale in comparison to the reality! Instead, I want to tell you why I feel SHINE is so volunteer friendly and allows such opportunity to bring achievement to these children. The SHINE center program combines simplicity with a measurable, impressive success rate. (Grade 3 literacy in a SHINE school rose from 50% in 2002 to 82.7% by 2008. This is the direct result of people like you and me who volunteer.)
When looking to volunteer, I had two requirements. I wanted a clearly defined role; and one that would allow me to have a lasting impact on someone’s life. This is SHINE in a nutshell.
The SHINE training program, in a step by step process, broke down for me exactly how to fill the literacy hour with my learner. I was given tools and the skills to implement the tools, in clear, “user friendly” detail. I knew from the very start that I would not be wondering aimlessly what on earth I should be doing next.
Following the training, when I received my school placement, the support and structure of the program continued. The school’s SHINE center director provided me with a detailed orientation at the center. I then spent two sessions observing other volunteers in hands-on interaction with their learners. I was able to get a sense of the rhythm and flow of the sessions before jumping in myself. Even now while I am working with “my own” learners, the center director is always available on site to offer support, suggestions and answer any questions I may have. She brings the children to the center and takes them back to class, alleviating any concern I might have of interrupting the classroom teacher or getting confused as to where the child’s classroom is.
The support and structure of SHINE, combined with the flexibility of location and days/hours to volunteer, make it possible for any English speaking adult who loves children to be a successful SHINE learning partner. Imagine that even if you only have an hour and a half a week to give, it is enough for YOU to change a child’s life. The only question that remains is how anyone can pass up this opportunity to SHINE!

Lenore Fogel, MSW

2009-11-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

We were very moved by the following letter, from one of our Shine volunteers:

Dear Shine Centre,

This Christmas my husband will be giving 12 members of the family a month's sponsorship for a child to attend The Shine Centre for a year. In other words he will be sponsoring a child for a year. I hope to be able to collect 12 bookmarks to give to the family members involved once he has made the donation.

I know this is but a small contribution but imagine if every volunteer who could afford to (and some friends who are sympathetic but unable to volunteer) did the same. You might easily get sponsorship for 100 kids. Don't want to start a challenge or anything like that but maybe you could plant a few seeds.

Kind regards,
Linda Blaine

Linda, what a fabulous and thoughtful idea... I secretly love the idea of a challenge........ !

New well wishes for our latest award from the IJR

2009-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

*Thanks so much for sending the wonderful news of your award! Reading the description of your achievements is very powerful for me. As Kathryn knows me as a friend, and fellow education worker with young children, she will not be surprised if I say right now, upon receiving this good news of the recognition of the Shine Center: "I want to hop on a plane and be at Shine...right now! And, stay awhile, with you all, and the children...."

After a very creative day, my one day a week at our local primary school in New Haven, Vermont, (population: about 1.500) I was so in the mood to learn of your amazing work with a very different population, a world away, but still the same basics: opportunity for connecting with children to boost their chances in life, according to their individual needs, and at Shine, to massively break into the deprivation cycle with serious emergency education and love!! Nina Bacon, Vermont, USA, family friend.

Congratulations to you all!
*Hi (Shine Team),

What a wonderful acknowledgement of your important and selfless work!
May your efforts, and those of your colleagues, and the achievements of your learners, always SHINE so brightly.
Much love,
Stanley Ginsburg
c’Dabra Foundation : human values ... tools of goodness

*Wonderful, wonderful news and so deserved too, an amazing endorsement of the huge patience and genuine drive to make a real difference – which so many of us just talk about – congrats Kathryn.
JR octagon

*Hi there,
KUDO'S TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM ON YOUR STERLING WORK! YOU DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION.
Best regards
Deon May, principal of the boys school, Zonnebloem junior School

*wow great work!! congratulations! Brooke Fasani, Founder Director of Positive Heros

*Dear Kathy
I am totally dead impressed! Well done to you all at Shine. You guys so very dedicated and true to this worthy cause. You deserve to be proud of your efforts. Thanks for sharing this with me. Fi Nichol

*Congratulations, you must all be so proud...I am glad that all your efforts have been recognised ! lol Tiffany,Friend, Londonx

*Well done!This is great news and you must be very proud.. Bob FINCH, VITOL, current donor.

*Congrats to you and the whole team!!! Wonderful to have this recognition of the great work you are doing. Well done!
Sally Bean, Associated Magazines

*This is amazing news, well done! My congratulations to you, Maurita and everyone else at Shine! I know this award is thoroughly deserved.
Vineet, Shine Zambia

Congratulations – this is well deserved.
Regards
Pam Singita

*Congratulations on the award, it is a well-deserved achievement.
Looking forward to that invitation!
Regards
Craig

*Just a quick note from Bangkok to congratulate all of you on a wonderful and well deserved award - recognition is always a good thing!
Bravo to SHINE!
Love
Caroline Sintes

*Dear Shine team
Congratulations on winning this award! You really deserve it and I am proud to be one of the organisations that work with you.
Jean williams
Biblionef

Hi you two
Congratulations for setting such a shining example to all of us!!
Well done –it is fantastic news
Kind regards
Anine, Donor

*Dear Kath ,Maurita and the Shine Team
Heartiest congratulations on this wonderful award.
You girls are truly amazing and I'm proud to be associated with Shine Team
lots of love
Avril, volunteer and donor

*Congratulations!!! This is fantastic news and well deserved. Went to Graham Bloch’s talk on Toxic Mix at The Book Lounge last night which just further highlighted the importance of your work. Melanie martin connect 123

*Well done to you all you deserve it
Jane Payne
Home from Home

*Dear Kathryn and Maurita
This is such wonderful news - congratulations for all your hard work. We have known for years what good work you do but to receive this public award makes all the difference to being publicly recognised for all that you do
I think this is wonderful - you should be in the newspapers... I only read the M&G so perhaps this recognition has been in the Cape Times....Maurita I have heard about your terrible accident and that you have been in hospital for ages. I am so sorry about it and the extreme trauma you have been through. I wish you all the best and hope that your recovery can go smoothly. You are needed by so many adults and children in your life - I am sure you also feel the need to get back on track and continue your good work... All the best Maurita.
lots of love and congratulations once again
Janet Condy, CAPUT

*MAZELTOV- CONGRATUATIONS -YIPPEEEEE!! You are shining stars!!!
With love and smiles
Elizabeth Nadler-Nir

*Congratulations! I’m sure you know you are doing good work but a little bit of acknowledgement sometimes feels good too! Keep on at it.
Love
Trilby www.dreamworker.org.za

Dear Kathryn
Congratulations to all of you. You must be so proud of your achievement.
Love Margie Orford, Author, friend and sponsor of Shine

*Maurita and Kathryn
This is wonderful news…well deserved acknowledgement for your remarkable work.
Much love
Linda Van Duuren

*Wow....this is amazing!! Truly a wonderful and well deserved recognition of the work you are doing!
Congratulations!!
I would love to get involved next year!
Lots of love
Cathy XXX Friend and potential volunteer

*Wow, congratulations!!
All your hard work has been rewarded. You must be thrilled!
Thank you for letting me know.
Best wishes,
Mary Beck, Grade 2 teacher and donor to Shine

*Congratulations. All of you who are involved in Shine must be so proud of this award. I think it is absolutely great.
Well done.
Kind regards.
Thys Lourens,  Acting Head: St Cyprians Preparatory School

*Dear Kathryn and Shine,
Congratulations that is good news and an award to be proud of! Well done to you all!
Regards
Andrew
andrew walton architect
CORPORATE MEMBER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

*Huge congratulations! I'm so pleased for you. Even though this kind of venture is never for reward or recognition, it is so fantastic when you get the latter ... F
Much love to you.
Jo Peat, Senior Lecturer, Roehampton Institute, Londonxx

Thank you to the Sunshine Group

2009-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

Gabi Berman ; Kayla Bagg ; Adi Futeran ; Mikka Chesno ;
& Michaela Symons of Weizmann Herzlia school, Seapoint.
These lovely children, The Sunshine Group, donated R500 to the Shine Centre.
They came and visited the centre and spent some time with the children recently.
We love the 'child to child' support.We will put this money towards our 'sponsor a child'
programme. Thank you to all involved!

Nick Wiltshire ran the Three Peaks for Shine on Saturday the 7th of November 2009

2009-11-10T11:38:00.001-08:00

Thank you Nick: and an amazing time he made it in: Nick came 17th overall, with a time of just over seven hours.
The three peaks involved were Devil's Peak, Table Mountain,via Platterkloof Gorge, and finally Lions Head.
What made it very interesting was that the course involved starting in Long Street at 5am in the morning ( according to Carrie, Nick's Fiance, the late night revelers were still at it!) and then running up each of the three peaks, and returning to Greenmarket Square each time, before attempting to run up the next mountain... Nick looked as fresh as a daisy on finishing... I am sure he had a short nap in the afternoon before jogging along his beloved beachfront that afternoon... well, maybe not...... Nick ran for Shine, with his very own Shine shirt on: a few photos of the man of the moment, with part of his welcoming team: TEAM NICK FOR SHINE!

First Well Wishers for our award....

2009-11-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

* Dear Shine Team,
This is such a fabulous recognition of where Shine has got to, and what it can do in the future. I am so proud of you and Maurita and all your volunteers. Very well done!!!!!!
Put this in the website – which I know you will be doing and use it for all your PR!. Time for more PR in the UK; charitable status will help with that.
Please congratulate everyone Victoria Bacon London, Donor

*Fantastic news, well deserved.
Great to be able to contribute in a small way. Derek Lubner, Donor Cape Town

*Dear Kathryn and Maurita,

Congratulationns to you and your teams ! It's wonderful to see that your excellent work and service to less-privileged children is gaining well deserved recognition. Having seen you and your colleagues at work, I know that you bring brightness and light to many. Carry on shining !

Big hugs,
Kevin Caulfield, Donor, London

*Congratulations! It’s great to see you guys starting to get the recognition you truly deserve.Gene Falk, CEO Mothers to Mothers ( M2M) Cape Town

*Dear Kathryn and everyone at SHINE:

What a wonderful and well deserved honor. It is a true reflection of your individual and collective efforts to make SHINE shine.

May SHINE go from strength to strength as it reaches more children in need, building a strong foundation for South Africa’s future.

Congratulations,

Mitch Besser, Founder and medical Director M2M Cape Town

The Institute of Justice and Reconciliation Award

2009-11-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

One of our lovely volunteers, Eileen Villa-Vicencio, approached Carrie earlier this year for some information on Maurita and Shine, and she nominated us for the 2008 Justice and Reconciliation Award. We are so excited to be the proud winner of this award. We will be attending a ceremony in early December to receive it. It is such a prestigious award, and one we are so thrilled to have been nominated for, and over the moon that we have won for 2008. Thanks to all our volunteers who work so tirelessly to make this possible. Without you there would be no Shine, and no accolades.
A short extract from the statement from the IJR states...

'Shine fosters reconciliation through the contact between its volunteers and the learners, as well as between the learners who participate in the programme. In the longer-term it highlights education as an important means to overcome structural inequality and build a more inclusive society, as well as the leading role that community-based initiatives will have to play in this regard.

In honouring this one organisation, the Institute furthermore recognises the many other initiatives, private and public, that share Shine’s mission to improve the educational well-being of South African learners, specifically those facing the greatest obstacles to education. These actions represent a vital investment in the future of reconciliation.'

A testimonial from Lenore Fogel, one of our volunteers from Prestwich

2009-11-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Lenore joined us a few months ago, and have quickly become a very integral part of Shine, Prestwich. Thank you for this wonderful glowing report, Lenore. it is very touching. We hope that it is published in the letters page of the Atlantic Sun... can everyone please look out for it for us? !

The Shine Center is a “literacy program to support children at English-speaking inner city schools whose first language is not English…”
Personally, it also happens to be my favorite of the many volunteer programs in which I have been involved. I could go on for hours about the satisfaction of working with the beautiful children at the Center and seeing their smiles and excitement, but it would pale in comparison to the reality! Instead, I want to tell you why I feel SHINE is so volunteer friendly and allows such opportunity to bring achievement to these children. The SHINE center program combines simplicity with a measurable, impressive success rate. (Grade 3 literacy in a SHINE school rose from 50% in 2002 to 82.7% by 2008. This is the direct result of people like you and me who volunteer.)
When looking to volunteer, I had two requirements. I wanted a clearly defined role; and one that would allow me to have a lasting impact on someone’s life. This is SHINE in a nutshell.
The SHINE training program, in a step by step process, broke down for me exactly how to fill the literacy hour with my learner. I was given tools and the skills to implement the tools, in clear, “user friendly” detail. I knew from the very start that I would not be wondering aimlessly what on earth I should be doing next.
Following the training, when I received my school placement, the support and structure of the program continued. The school’s SHINE center director provided me with a detailed orientation at the center. I then spent two sessions observing other volunteers in hands-on interaction with their learners. I was able to get a sense of the rhythm and flow of the sessions before jumping in myself. Even now while I am working with “my own” learners, the center director is always available on site to offer support, suggestions and answer any questions I may have. She brings the children to the center and takes them back to class, alleviating any concern I might have of interrupting the classroom teacher or getting confused as to where the child’s classroom is.
The support and structure of SHINE, combined with the flexibility of location and days/hours to volunteer, make it possible for any English speaking adult who loves children to be a successful SHINE learning partner. Imagine that even if you only have an hour and a half a week to give, it is enough for YOU to change a child’s life. The only question that remains is how anyone can pass up this opportunity to SHINE!

For more information on the program and how you can be involved go to www.theshinecentre.org.za or email Kerry White on shinecentrecapetown@gmail.com

Lenore Fogel, MSW

A snapshot from Zonnebloem, by Leigh Anne Nathan.... 10th November 2009

2009-11-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

Oh what fun!! We had every desk, and every (broken) stool in use today for both sessions!! Ariella and Colleen are great! Penne Tompkins was there as well! Unfortunately Nobuntu arrived a bit late and was sick with a tummy bug, so between the two sessions I promptly dropped her back at the station to go home and get better, with money for airtime to sms me in future if she can’t make it.

I asked Dusty and Penne work with the two girls who have jumped up to 'Good,' in fact, 'Very Good,' and I treat it as an acceleration session for them! They now only come once a week so we can use Volunteers for the other weaker kids.

Oh, the point of this e-mail was that we will need to address replacing the stools for next year!

Cheers, Leigh Anne

Observatory Parent Workshop

2009-11-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Parents and students of Grade R and 1 poured into Observatory Junior School yesterday for a parent workshop led by Kathryn Torres. As they filled the Great Hall, parents were given packs with sheets to help them read with their children and facilitate literacy at home. Each family was given a book to take home and read together as well. The interactive presentation began with the children huddling together at the stage and repeating the sounds of the alphabet along with actions based on words that begin with each letter. With Kathryn as an enthusiastic model, the children made sounds from “A” for “apple” to “Z” for “zebra,” jumping at the letter “J” and laughing at the letter “L.” My roommate helped with the workshop and, having had little exposure to Shine in the past, was amazed at how vibrant and adorable the children are. She was moved by the number of parents dedicated enough to travel long distances, possibly missing work, and spend their hard-earned money on transport and school fees to provide educational opportunities for their young children. It is clear that the children and their parents are eager for a chance to learn. The Shine Centre is established in schools like Observatory Junior in part because it is parents like these that complete the circle and ensure that we can make a difference in their children’s lives.

~Amy Holter

Filming and Training

2009-11-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

On October 31st, Shine held a large training for eight new and eager volunteers. The training was unique because it was held at a film studio, where the event was taped to be used as introductory material for new volunteers in the future. The fabulously dynamic Elizabeth Nadler Nir led the group through the four segments of literacy hour, explaining in detail the purpose and technique behind have-a-go writing, paired and shared reading and literacy games 1-20. She utilized videos made in the past for each part. At times, some of the group was moved to misty-eyed awe over the children’s willingness to learn and the program’s ability to reach them. The session lasted almost three hours, and the brand new volunteers left with a much greater sense of their role as teacher and mentor for Shine learners. Thanks so much to everyone who helped make it possible and we look forward to the completion of the video!

~Amy Holter

Parent Workshop, Zonnebloem Boys school, Oct 2009

2009-10-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Today we held a parent workshop: we invited 80 parents and 40 arrived, so we were very happy with the turn- out. We were able to give away little a-z sheets, to help the parents create games for their children, plus a simple reader, a bookmark with the key 100 word on ( the high frequency words) and an explanation on the importance of reading with children, and a worksheet with the sounds of the phonetic alphabet. We had a lot of fun acting out the sounds, and practicing 'paired reading.' Carrie was a very willing assistant, and helped me demonstrate the value for our paired reading method.

In addition, as a thank you, we gave away a book to each parent to take home to practice their ' shared reading' skills with their children. Thank you to Herzlia school and to the Rotary for their contribution of wonderful books, enabling this gesture of appreciation. It was a fun session, and our audience was very lively and interactive.

I had several parents come up to me and thank me, but one parent will remain with me: he pulled out the bookmark with the key one hundred words on, shook my hand vigorously, and with the largest and warmest of smiles, thanked me profusely, telling me that he was now going to take the words home and practice and learn them himself.

Just when I think I have got to grips with and contrasts and disparities of this country, something poignant, in-fact, almost heartbreaking like this occurs, and I am reminded of the importance of what we are doing. We are reaching so many more people than just the children that come to the Shine Centre. This is life changing work on so many levels.

Latest Board meeting, sadly minus Maurita and Mandy. 28th Oct, 2009

2009-10-28T15:50:00.001-07:00

Sally James, our new Remedial Specialist

2009-10-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Sally will be joining our team 3 days a week from next year. The following few months will be a 'baptism of fire' for her.... yesterday she met with some of the Prestwich volunteers, who immediately warmed to her. ( Impossible not to!)

She was introduced to Mrs Alexander, the Principal, and here she is with Mr Oral Accom, the deputy, discussing eye and ear tests, and the possibility of putting in some systems to ensure that all our learners get eyes and ears seen to before the end of Grade one.
We are all going to benefit hugely having Sally on board. She has been in the Education field for many years, and we have had the privilege of having her do some pro-bono work for us in the past. We always knew that she would fit very snuggly into the Shine team. Exciting new developments afoot!

Filming 'Paired Reading' and 'Have a Go Writing,' 23rd Oct, 2009

2009-10-25T13:28:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth and Hilda, one of her colleagues, plus Tam, our film producer/director. Not to forget our wonderful team of six Prestwich Street children.

Yet another fruitful morning spent with Elizabeth Nadlir Nir, our invaluable remedial expert. She is a genius of note, and could have been an actress in another life! She has such a rapport with the camera (and needless to say, with the children!) that it is a joy to watch her work: I learn something new each time I am with her: she is an inspiration to us all at The Shine Centre. Our aim during the filming session: to film short, sharp ' slices' of training: neatly packaged into small, bite- size pieces: 15 minutes tops.

This will serve two purposes: it will enable us to deliver 'on site' training in each of our centres: the DVDs will serve as a 'top up' for our already skilled volunteer base. The large, 3 hour trainings that Elizabeth provides are vital, but it is soundly proven that quick, easily accessed information is very effective when dealing with a voluntary wok force: we acknowledge that our volunteers want to be supported along the way, regardless of how skilled and confident they are. Consequently, the films that we have created will serve as a valuable resource, post editing!

In addition, we recognise that we have schools queueing up to have their own Shine Centre ( 20 at the last count) and we want to be able to deliver something to them by the end of the year. With the generous help of the Ackerman Foundation, we have Elizabeth's input for another year. We strive to ensure that the training becomes self -supporting: once we have filmed each area of our Shine training programme, we can professionally share with other schools, however remote they are.

The sessions that we have filmed recreate various learning scenarios, and help de -mystify something that appears complex, but is in fact, very simple. The process of helping a child overcome the anxiety of reading: to help nurture our Grade 2's and 3's to become confident willing readers: this is the bottom line.

Thank you to Carrie and Amy for assisting us with the children, and for keeping them fresh and attentive during the filming process. Huge thanks to Candice and Tam of 'Actcape, 4 Loop St' for our studio time. They supported this fully, with no charge. Our web of care grows wider. Humbling.