Join the Big Book Wrap campaign to empower 6 700 children through reading

Learning in Reach, a non-profit organisation working with the Lavender Hill community, has launched its annual Big Book Wrap campaign, aiming to wrap 6 700 books for pupils in celebration of International Literacy Day on September 8.

The campaign encourages supporters to purchase a book, which Learning in Reach members then wrap and donate to a school or learning institution. 

For the past nine years, the organisation has partnered with the Lavender Hill community to drive meaningful change by building sustainable, holistic ecosystems with a strong focus on Early Childhood Development.

Project administrator Chery Abrahams said the initiative emphasises literacy as the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.

“This year’s global theme, Promoting Literacy For A World In Transition, comes at a critical time. According to the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results, 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning - up from 78% in 2016. Only 40% of children aged three to five are enrolled in quality early learning programmes, and poor reading skills remain one of the main drivers of school dropout,” she said.

Ms Abrahams said: “Help us provide books to those who typically lack access. Wrap a book. Unwrap the future.”

Beyond putting books in children’s hands, the campaign supports local authors and funds early childhood scholarships.

“When children read, they don’t just learn words -  they learn to dream bigger, think critically, and overcome challenges. Research shows children who own books are 15 times more likely to read above their expected level,” said Ms Abrahams.

This year, the Big Book Wrap also features three self-published themes, written by local authors during a Mandela Day campaign, that nurture empathy, resilience, and respect for diversity, laying the groundwork for peace education. Each book supports peace education by nurturing children's social and emotional growth. 

The themes are:

• Calming big feelings – teaching self-regulation and empathy 
• Overcoming anxiety and fears to achieve -  building courage and resilience 
• Individuality and uniqueness – instilling confidence and respect for diversity 

How to Join the International Literacy Day Movement 

For individuals: 

• Visit https://learninginreach.org.za/big-book-wrap/ 
• Choose your participation level and make your donation 
• Share the campaign on social media using #BigBookWrap #LiteracyDay #WrapAFuture 

For businesses and organisations: 

• Contact Learning in Reach to set up workplace giving campaigns 
• Challenge other businesses to match your donation 
• Organise book wrapping events for employees or join distribution events to read to children 

For more information, contact Ms Abrahams at 078 766 0578.