Welcome to September edition of #WATWB – We are the World Blogfest, where writers join in on the last Friday of each month to share something good going on in the world. In this edition I’m sharing a wonderful initiative – publishing books for children to read for free to fulfil its mission, believing that every child by aged five should own at least 100 books.
Bookdash is a literacy organization that publishes books in eleven South African languages, an initiative that began in 2014, and has so far published over 146 books and over one million copies.
“Almost 60 percent of South African homes do not own a single book according to a 2016 South African Book Development Council report. According to the report, having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on a child’s going on to higher levels of education. The impact of having 100 is even more pronounced.”
“The reason that so few South African homes have books is because they simply cannot afford them, Book Dash’s director Dorette Louw told the Christian Science Monitor. Many families cannot purchase glossy children’s picture books in bookstores. Printing short-run books for a South African market is very costly.”
You can read the whole article at Goodnet. And enjoy this video that shares more about the dire need for these books to improve literacy for the children in South Africa.
Original source: https://www.goodnet.org/articles/book-dash-inspires-young-readers-to-soar
If you’d like to join in with an inspiring post for #WATWB, you can add your link to the group Facebook Page. Hosts for this month’s WATWB are: co-hosts are Eric Lahti (https://ericlahti.wordpress.com/) and Susan Scott (https://www.gardenofedenblog.com/
©DGKaye2021
DGKayewriter.com 
Absolutely brilliant Debby and what amazing people involved in this project.. I am sure that it is something that would be appropriate for most of our countries, with two million 16 year olds leaving school functionally illiterate in the UK it means they did not get the start they needed at a much younger age.. .I will share on Tuesday in the Blogger Daily… and in the usual haunts..hugsx♥
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Thank you my lovely Sal for your generous shares. You said it, perhaps all countries should initiate this drive for books to help educate children instead of always relying on ‘the people’ to pick up their slack. ❤
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It’s a tragedy that so few households in South Africa can afford books. Reading was one of the main joys of my childhood. I’ll hop over and read the article. x
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Thank you Stevie. ❤
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Wow! Debby, thank you so much for sharing about this incredible project – what an achievement with Book Dash’s one-millionth book and their inspiring aim to bring so many books to children. The power of reading, the magic of creativity, the ability to let the imagination develop cannot be emphasised enough and it is amazing to see what is being achieved here! Kudos to them all! The smiles on the children’s faces say it all!
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Thanks so much Annika. I felt the same way when I came across this article ❤
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What a wonderful post Debby and the video was so charming! Their goal of 1 million books for free for small children in our 11 official languages was reached! And that they’ve broken away from blonde, blue eyed children in their stories. Interesting that The Christian Science Monitor was mentioned in your post – I haven’t heard of them for a long time. It was a newspaper that posted only good news from what I remember. I mentioned The Christian Science Monitor literally 5 mins ago in response to a comment on my post and now here I see it mentioned again! Thank you – great #WATWB 🙂
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There you go Susan, the universe works in mysterious ways. And I’m so glad you read this, especially knowing that such wonderful efforts are being made to educate children who can’t afford books. 🙂 x
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How wonderful, Debby – what a fantastic mission, the best gift of all. Toni x
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Absolutely a gift Toni. Thanks for stopping by. ❤
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Yay for Book Dash. What a worthy cause. Reading is the gateway to a lifetime of information and entertainment. South African children are deserving of literacy and book ownership, that’s for sure!
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Exactly Marian. You said it perfectly – reading is the gateway to a lifetime of information and entertainment. 🙂 xx
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What a great project! The best thing for children is for the adults in their home to value reading by setting an example, but the reality is that not every child will come from that type of environment.
I like this series a lot, Debby. I still remember your piece from last month where you highlighted the young lady recycling flowers from weddings to use in hospitals. I liked the idea so much that I passed it on to two other people—one is my goddaughter, who graduated from the University of Oregon and is now trying to get into medical school.
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Hi Pete. I’m so glad to hear my last post resonated with you enough to pass on. That’s a great thing. Maybe if articles get passed enough more people will catch on. I’m glad you’re enjoying this monthly series Pete, and don’t forget, anyone can join on by sharing some ‘good news’ going on around the world. The Facebook link to share these posts is at the bottom of this post. 🙂
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Hi Debby – that’s an amazing story … and so wonderful to read in the UK, by me who has spent time in South Africa, while recently having a year in your country … we do live in a wonderful world. I love their approach to getting the books out to so many children, and books which can be written in the eleven SAn official languages. Incredible #WATWB … just so pleased to hear about this amazing and so beneficial initiative … and to see their approach – slow, but sure … love it – thank you … cheers Hilary
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Thank you Hilary, and so interesting you spent time in SA. I thought it was a beautiful initiative and maybe it could spread to some other countries! Hugs xx
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That’s such a great idea! I’m glad so many people helped make it possible.
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It sure is and I hope it spreads. 🙂
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I love this. BookDash is n my radar for other reasons–didn’t know about this. I’m impressed.
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Happy to enlighten you Jacqui 🙂
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Another amazing story, my friend. There really are good, kind people out there in the world. Hope to have something up myself this month–before it’s over.
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Thanks John. Maybe the wave will catch if it’s spread enough. I look forward to reading yours. 🙂
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It’s tragic to me that every child in the world doesn’t have access to books. Supporting literary all around the world is good for everyone. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post, Debby. Good hearted people can make a huge difference. Cheers for S. African children. 🙂
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Thanks Diana, and I’m with you 100%. Why aren’t all children getting access to books. 😦 xx
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a staggering statistic about the lack of books, and a wonderful cause to try and change it…
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Isn’t it just? 🙂
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What a fabulous story, Debby, and such an empowering project for so many. I love these projects that aim to improve literacy around the world, especially in areas were families cannot afford to buy books. Their work has a similar purpose to Library For All, which I am involved with.
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Hi Norah. Yes, a fabulous project that needs to be happening in many more countries. And fabulous about LIbrary For All! I know this post warms your heart for sure. ❤
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HI Debby, thank you for sharing this uplifting story.
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It was my pleasure Robbie. I hope other countries catch on what yours is doing for young children’s literacy. ❤
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Thank you beautiful Sal ❤ xxx
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Thanks for sharing this great project. I am always sad when I hear people of any age don’t have access to a good education and to books, but especially children. And, Sally is right, even in better-off countries, there are so many peoples who we never exposed to books when they were young and never do much reading at all (and, having visited a few prisons for work reasons, many of the young men there couldn’t read or write sufficiently well to manage in their everyday lives). I couldn’t imagine my life without books, and I hope many more initiatives like this grow in the future. Thanks, Debby, for the inspiration.
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Thanks for chiming in with your heartfelt message Olga. Yes, no child should be denied books. Hugs xox
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Thanks for sharing the information, about this wonderful project. It’s bad that so few children in South Africa have books. But recently I heard that there are said to be around 8 million illiterate people in Germany alone. People who attended and graduated from school here. Horrible, for them. Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks for stopping by Michael. And this is why good things like literacy for little ones in SA needs to catch on to all the countries in the world! 🙂
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The project is absolutely wonderful!! 60% is a scary percentage.
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Right on both counts Jennie. And no doubts you would love this post. ❤
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What a wonderful initiative! The importance of literacy to escape poverty can’t be overstated.
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Exactly Liz! 🙂 x
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Such a great thing! While it wasn’t always easy reading to my son – I’m looking at you, Fox In Socks – it instilled a life-long love of reading. We damned near wore out his library card.
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Lol Eric, but a prime example of perseverence, and finding the right book to entertain while educating, a child. 🙂
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Books are the first step towards education, towards a dream, and towards self-development! This is a wonderful initiative. Thanks for sharing, Debby!
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My pleasure Liesbet. You said it all! Would be nice for this effort to spread across the world for children everywhere. ❤
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