PRAESA. Award Laureates 2015 1
PRAESA wants children to have not only traditiona
l schoolbooks, but also literature that inspires them to read. In one early project, the Little Hands book series, PRAESA distributed short books in different African languages via the Stories across Africa project. PRAESA also works closely with authors, illustrators, publishers, translators and various other organisations – notably Biblionef South Africa, which plays a key role in the production and distribution of books nationally. Such collaborations are essential for developing new literary contacts and constellations, not only inside South Africa but also among different African countries. PRAESA continuously evaluates its work and has published a number of studies and scholarly articles on children’s literature, multilingual teaching, and literacy instruction. In 2006, PRAESA started the Vulindlela Reading Club in Langa, a township outside Cape Town. The club was quickly followed by many more, both in Cape Town and in other provinces. Club activities emphasize the importance of weaving together books and group reading with dramatization, singing games and storytelling. PRAESA strives to support children’s self-esteem and linguistic identities and activities are held both in children’s native languages and in English. The starting point is always children’s natural curiosity about stories, reading and literature. The Vulindlela Reading Club formed the point of departure for the Nal’ibali project: a large-scale national reading promotion program begun in 2012. Nal’ibali is a network of reading clubs that uses media campaigns to encourage children to read and inspire parents, grandparents, and teachers to read with them. Bloch says, “It’s not enough to produce materials. You have to get them into the right hands.” PRAESA believes in change at the grass-roots level. Reading clubs are run by local volunteers, who attend workshops and receive training and mentoring. PRAESA continuously develops its strategies and methods to support socially vulnerable areas and reach out with stories and books. Within the Nal’ibali project, PRAESA created bilingual supplements distributed via the large South African newspapers. The inserts are free to order. Each includes a writing and puzzle section along with