The Love2learn project has two objectives - it enables teachers to empower one another by sharing knowledge, skills and resources and focuses on doing the same for kids. By facilitating a structured program, the initiative teaches children that by connecting with another child through the joy of giving, they can make a difference. This key value is conducted by encouraging students from a donor school to participate in exciting ways to help their unknown friend in an under-resourced school in neighbouring townships or communities. For many of the recipients of this kindness, these small gestures every school term are the difference between completing their school year or becoming just another statistic.
During each school term, the Love2Learn volunteers distribute the donations we receive to the children in these underprivileged schools. These resources include the small things that really make the biggest difference in a young schoolchild's life - from pencils for them to write their dreams with, to a blanket to keep their souls warm during the coldest winters.
Of course, it just takes one look around an under-privileged school classroom to inspire an armful of improvements. One of these improvements is the Reading Corners initiative. Kidz2Kidz delivers this resource to classrooms that don't have a nook for kids to find their peace and calm and enjoy a good book no matter their age. This has been well received in classrooms so far and helps to encourage a love for reading from a young age. Each reading corner comprises of a bookshelf, books, mat, peace bench and cushions - creating a calm space in busy, often over-crowded classrooms.
The Cool2BeKind initiative helps to break the cycle of abuse and violence, and is an initiative that believes the difference starts from a young age.
We need to teach our children that it is "Cool2BeKind" and this project enforces this belief through messages of self-worth, respect for yourself and others, human rights and kindness. Its workshops and events provide a toolkit to enable children from all walks of life, but especially those in abusive or violent circumstances, to go forward with more knowledge on how to cope and break out of the cycle of bullying and violence. Teaching a child kindness is at the heart of creating a better world for all.
The level of personalisation and engagement of the various Kidz2Kidz initiatives is what makes us unique. Our volunteers give of their time selflessly, as do all those who hear of our efforts to go forward and make a change; either in their personal capacity by being a silent contributor to one of our projects or to rally awareness in their own communities about the plight of many of South Africa's children.
For more information, go to www.kidz2kidz.org.za.
