- Shiloh Education, based in Brackenfell, runs 13 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres aimed at addressing illiteracy in underprivileged communities.
- The organisation educates children aged 3 to 6 through a unique curriculum that fosters early reading and comprehension skills.
- Through these centres, Shiloh seeks to uplift entire communities and break the cycle of poverty.
Brackenfell-based organisation Shiloh Education is doing vital work to combat illiteracy and to foster a culture of reading in underprivileged communities.
Marking World Literacy day on 8 September the organisation casts light on the current challenges in the country and the work they do to bring about change.
Estelle Veldman of Shiloh Education says current facts paint a bleak picture in South Africa and further afield.
According to former education minister Angie Motshekga statistics show that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read or write with comprehension.
Veldman also refers to the method used by the American prison industry when making future predictions on how many prisoners have to be accommodated for in years to come.
“It was found predictions were done very easily, using a pretty simple algorithm, based on asking what percentage of 10 and 11-year-olds couldn’t read. And certainly, couldn’t read for pleasure. You can’t say that a literate society has no criminality. But there are very real correlations,” she says.
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Furthermore, says Veldman, some 70% of children across Africa don’t reach their full potential due to poverty, poor nutrition and a lack of healthcare.
ECD Centres
Shiloh Education is committed to breaking this cycle of poverty by having established 13 pre-schools or Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres across three provinces of which one in Kraaifontein and another in Kilpheuwel.
Here children between the ages of three and six are educated by means of the Shiloh Education curriculum.
“These hubs become sustainable ‘Centres of Hope’ for the community at large. They move the community away from a poverty mentality and restore dignity by allowing individuals to earn a living and provide for their families in a dignified manner,” says Veldman.
In essence, the organisation aims to restore dignity by creating an environment where every learner can unlock their full potential in their developmental years.
“By empowering local women as educators, we not only improve education but also uplift entire communities. We invite the public to join us in this important mission. Whether it’s sponsoring age-appropriate books, volunteering with homework assistance, or working with us to maximize the impact of our ECD centres, your contribution can make a significant difference. Together, we can be the village that raises these children. Let’s make a lasting impact on countless lives by giving them the ultimate gift of literacy.”
- For more information please visit www.shiloh.org.za.
