Reading is Fun is an annual vacation program for children with reading or literacy problems in James Town.  It aims to improve the reading levels of children, to ensure that children learn and internalize life skills acquired during the sessions, and to create an overall free environment for the children to practice their reading skills and express themselves confidently. Reading is Fun employs various creative and fun methods to teach children literacy.

This year's Reading is Fun marked the 5th edition and 32 children participated for 3 weeks from the 13th to the 29th of August 2019. SCEF had 15 volunteers, interns, and staff who worked before, during and after the program. A newly developed curriculum was furthermore implemented to meet the learning requirements of all learners.

In order to group the children according to their literacy levels, a pre-test was conducted. The pre-test showed that 11 children could only identify the alphabet generally but not phonetically, they could barely pronounce two and three letter words, and could not at all read simple sentences. However, 21 children could identify the alphabet – both generally and phonetically. Furthermore, 12 out of the 21 children were able identify simple words, read simple sentences and spell simple words. Regarding these results, the children were grouped into beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

To ensure all learners focus on each lesson and reach their full potential, every child was fed a nutritious breakfast before the start of every lesson. Moreover, facilitators adopted positive reinforcement methods to ensure learners abide by agreed rules, as well as to ensure order and a smooth learning process. On the final day of Reading is Fun 2019 a post-test was conducted to track the acquired knowledge. 86% of beginner level learners improved their reading skills by easily identifying the alphabet, pronouncing two- and three letter words. 75% of intermediate level learners improved their reading skills by easily identifying three letter words, reading simple sentences and discovering new words.

All (100%) advanced level learners improved their reading levels precisely in identifying the alphabet, two and three letter words, reading and forming sentences, summarizing essays, using punctuation, answering comprehension questions, and critical thinking. In summary, 60% of learners improved after the reading sessions, while 24.4% showed no improvement of which 15.6% of children even showed signs of dyslexia. In addition 80% of the learners acquired positive life skill training with the help of positive reinforcement methods used during learning sessions.

All (100%) advanced level learners improved their reading levels precisely in identifying the alphabet, two and three letter words, reading and forming sentences, summarizing essays, using punctuation, answering comprehension questions, and critical thinking. In summary, 60% of learners improved after the reading sessions, while 24.4% showed no improvement of which 15.6% of children even showed signs of dyslexia. In addition 80% of the learners acquired positive life skill training with the help of positive reinforcement methods used during learning sessions.

We love seeing our scholarship recipients and beneficiaries happy and thriving. To make next year’s Reading is Fun vacation program possible, we need your help! Please consider donating any amount of money or giving donations in-kind to help street connected children in James Town improve on their literacy skills.

Thank you for making an impact in the lives of children; much needed programs like this could not happen without the help of our supporters! We are Looking forward to do this again in 2020 with your support.

Donate through our go  fund me campaign
https://www.gofundme.com/f/show-love-to-a-street-child-this-christmas?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet [1]  OR Send us an email at  info@scef-international.org OR call us on +23302061234 OR click here donate through paypal
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