When Capetonians were asked to donate children’s books towards the Liberty Promenade Mall book drive that aimed to top up reading materials in Mitchell’s Plain primary schools, they came forth wholeheartedly. The mall’s #ReadDreamRepeat campaign that launched earlier this year ended on a high with a whopping total of 17 362 books being donated.
Reading is an essential part of every child’s educational journey, but this is simply not possible without books or reading materials, which are known to be in short supply in many public schools. At the onset of the project, the mall identified ten government-run primary schools in the Western Cape that are in dire need of reading materials for learners. Now, not only will these schools benefit from the books that were donated, but an additional four schools have been added to the recipient list.
Various organisations got behind the campaign including Woolworths, Rotary Club, Exclusive Books, Norman Henshilwood High, Camps Bay High, Bergvliet High, Rand Water, Pick n Pay School Club, Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt, Mitchells Plain Festival, On the Dot, DCB Logistics and St Georges Grammar. Local radio station Heart FM got involved by doing an outside broadcast at the mall and rallying their listeners to help. Collection points were set up in the mall’s Food District and Information Desk.
Last year’s book collection drive at Liberty Promenade saw over 13 400 books being donated and distributed to various schools, which brings the total collected over the two years to over 30 000 books, proving the kindheartedness and generosity of Capetonians.
“We are astounded and humbled by the incredible response to this year’s book collection drive,” said Brenda Bibby, General Manager of Liberty Promenade. “Supporting our local community is at the heart of everything we do, and we hope that these books will make a lasting contribution to the learners at these schools,” she added.
