The Middelrus valley is situated in one of the poorest wards of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa and is an area of poor education and high unemployment. Standards of literacy are very low, with no access to good learning resources, resulting in most children failing basic education and having little hope of going on to further study or attaining a good job.

I have been a volunteer for three years at Themba Community Church which is situated in the heart of the valley and close to the main high school in the area. We are raising money to build and resource a centre where school children will be able to access books and the Internet and receive support in their studies.

The difference a Literacy Centre could make to the people of this valley could be far reaching, in giving young people the opportunity to access resources for their studies as well as encouraging reading for pleasure. Children who had very little expectation of passing exams will have new motivation and, rather than be trapped in the poverty mindset of never having the means to achieve, they will have a renewed hope in success for the future.

I hope that you, as my friends and family, will join with me in supporting this project by donating whatever you can to this cause, and therefore help give these young people an opportunity to reach their potential.

Thank you so much and God bless, love Bonney :)