17 March 2020

Lighting the way to National Literacy

Submitted by: Neerana Singh

On 25 February 2020, READPower handed over 30 solar lighting systems for 30 households located in the Thabo Mbeki informal settlement. after receiving a generous sponsorship from by Jones Lang Lasalle and Tetris Design & Build. In addition to the solar lighting systems, 170 stationery packs, school shirts and sanitary pads, sponsored from within our community network, were donated learners of Lion Park Primary School, the first school adopted under the READPower Programme.

What is READPower and why have we partnered to provide solar lighting systems to households in informal settlements? READPower is a social investment initiative developed by Educubed Foundation NPC and Asani Energy, an energy solutions company, to LIGHT the way to national LITERACY by distributing solar lighting systems and providing numeracy and literacy programmes in the communities we help. Statistics show that 78% of Grade 4 pupils in South Africa cannot read for basic meaning, that means that eight of ten 10-year old’s, in South Africa, are functionally illiterate. A culture of learning and reading must be fostered; however, every night millions of South African children living in rural areas and informal settlements face the serious struggle of trying to read and do their homework by candlelight or kerosene lamps. The READPower Programme aims to make a positive impact in improving the national literacy rate and secure South Africa’s future by breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

READPower is a wholistic socio-economic development solution, which incorporates unemployed youth, priority on women, living in the community. On 16 March 2020, 10 unemployed youth from the Thabo Mbeki informal settlement were trained to install and maintain the lighting solutions. The youth have successfully installed the 30 solar lighting units donated and we will continue to work with them for further READPower installations and they will also be empowered to develop further opportunities for themselves within the energy sector.

READPower is an ideal opportunity for South African corporates to use their Socio-Economic Development Spend to achieve meaningful socio-economic development and is aligned with 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (No Poverty, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduce Inequalities and Climate Change).

Fundraising efforts are being championed by our Communications and Marketing consultant, Neerana Singh and for more information  on the programme please visit our Crowd Funding Platform - https://gogetfunding.com/light-up-for-literacy/

For more information, Corporate Sponsors, non-monetary donations or to interview our Founder contact Neerana Singh, Communications and Marketing Consultant.Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Science and Education