GRAHAMSTOWN – An initiative of its only kind, empowering the minds of young children and strengthening the relationships in a home, one story book at a time.
Iintsomi is a reading literacy programme that aims to bridge the gap in the unequal education system in the city, and country at large. It uses literature as a tool to teach and encourage pupils, by telling stories of language and culture. The programme is coordinated by Thobani Mesani from the Rhodes University Community Engagement, and Kathy Gush who is the coordinator of the literary aspect of the programme.
In 2015 when the Iintsomi project began, it was based on the theory that children need multiple stakeholders to support their education for their future. Iintsomi emphasizes the importance in the involvement and the role of the parent in their child’s learning.
There are 121 parents and 168 learners participating in the programme. Lush Mhleli, an employee at Rhodes University joined Iintsomi in 2015. At the Press Conference held on 17 May 2017 at Eden Grove, Rhodes University; Mhleli described how reading with her 7 year-old daughter has nurtured their relationship and made it grow “stronger”. Every two weeks, Mhleli says, she arrives home with a new collection of story books in hand after the exchange, both in her mother tongue and in English.
“We are focused on developing the mother tongues of every learner” Gush says, as she expands on the language aspect of Iintsomi. The programme is currently mostly making use of isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans. This enables children to gain a progressive understanding and familiarity with the language, especially important for their success at school. There are three separate learning groups to provide for the different educational needs of the children, and the participating parents are divided according to their learners’ education level.
“Iintsomi brings a better life for my children” said Thandie Mgqobhele, a participating parent in the programme and an employee at Rhodes University, who joined in 2015. Before the programme, Mgqobhele said she had noticed her daughter struggle with reading, and this later improved after nights spent over more pages and chapters from the Iintsomi books. “She is now able to help other children in the community”, Mgqobhele adds.
The Iintsomi initiative aims to reach other homes and Universities in South Africa, and to encourage home literacy as a learning tool for children. The programme has collaborated with the radio and television journalism students from Rhodes University, and has a Facebook page which includes their contact details.