Breaktime at the Shine Library in Walmer, Port Elizabeth

A couple of years ago Shine Literacy Centre, which is situated in the Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth, received ABCA books. Walmer Township is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the Eastern Cape and has many problems including illiteracy, unemployment, crime, child neglect and alcohol abuse.

We previously reported that Shine Literacy Centre focuses on teaching kids in low-income communities to read and improve their ability to read for meaning. They have an excellent system in which they create a culture of reading in schools and homes by training individuals, educators, communities and organisations to tackle the educational crisis together. They believe that every child deserves an equal chance to succeed. At the time Shine Literacy Centre said about the ABCA books: “Reading and pictures stimulate the imagination. These beautiful books are an excellent addition to our Shine Literacy Centre. Thank you!”

We now share with you a video of the pride the students display running their library.

Thank you to the Union of Jewish Women in Port Elizabeth for distributing the ABCA books.

September 2026