Literacy project helps youth gain key skills

Kick4Life’s new Literacy project provides opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children, many of whom are out of school, to gain basic skills including literacy, numeracy and computing. These skills are crucial for them to catch-up with levels of attainment for their age and are vital for their future prospects in the workplace.

Delivered at the Lesotho Football for Hope Centre, the main course is called Aflatoun, a social and financial education programme for children aged 6-18.  Aflatoun places importance on stimulating individual thinking through a range of fun and interactive activities including drawing, a custom-made Lesotho board game, and small group work. 

A range of other opportunities are available at the centre including computer lessons, after-school homework assistance, English Language classes, art, educational movie screenings, and time available for the public to come and enjoy our small library of books. 

One of the containers used to deliver parts for the Football for Hope Centre has also been converted into a dedicated Literacy Centre, creating a safe environment for people of all ages to participate, whether learning how to read, drawing, or just playing board games with friends.

Ten-year-old Mashobane says, “I come to the Literacy Centre everyday because I want to learn how to read.  Because when I grow up, and my kids ask, ‘Daddy, what does this say?’ I want to be able to tell them.”

Kick4Life’s Literacy Centre Coordinator, Thapelo Hanyane, says: “My favorite asset about the Literacy Centre is it not only provides reading material, but games and arts and crafts for the children.  This helps create a very child friendly environment where the kids are free to learn, ask questions, and most importantly, have fun.”