Literacy Outreach

Simmons 4 Africa by Dan Simmons


School of IndustryWe have an open invitation to work with the School of Industry



While serving and living in Newcastle, we gained valuable insight into the urgent need for English literacy outreach among the children and youth of the area. Many of the children in Kwa-Zulu-Natal grow up speaking a prevalent language other than English (primarily Zulu and Africans). However, in South Africa, children are required not only to learn English, but to learn to read in English.



According to the most recent figures from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Education, the literacy rate among sixth grade children stands at a meager 39%. To compound the problem, schools are poorly equipped. The general consensus among education experts in the country is that the low literacy rates are directly related to poverty. With an estimated poverty rate of 70%, higher than any other province in South Africa, the situation in Kwa-Zulu-Natal is especially dire.



We believe God is calling us to partner with pastors, schools and communities to provide reading education to the poor and disadvantaged in Northern Kwa-Zulu-Natal. We have an open invitation to work with the School of Industry to not only provide literacy education to the reform school and behavioral challenged students, but to read the Bible and pray with them! Additionally we are developing a mobile literacy program (BAC or Book Adventure Club – see our logo below) that will allow us to reach primary aged learners in poverty stricken villages and townships. God is opening up doors for us to share the life giving Gospel of Jesus Christ through these reading education.


Simmons 4 Africa

By:
Dan Simmons

About Us

We are Dan and Deena Simmons who are currently serving in Newcastle South Africa for two months along with our sons Josiah and Micah. We will be leaving in March and hope to return as long term missionaries here by the end of 2012.

What are we doing?

Deena has 21 years teaching as a primary school teacher and she also has 11 years experience in reading curriculum development. She is working with a new Christian school here in Newcastle and is assisting with developing their reading curriculum, remedial reading and teacher training. When we return on a more permanent basis Deena will continue to assist the school with whatever is needed in regards to academic development, teaching and/or training. Dan has teamed up with local pastors in developing a youth soccer organization that will be centred around promoting the gospel to potentially thousands of children and giving these kids an avenue to improve their soccer skills and development. There are currently no soccer leagues or formal competition opportunities for youth in this area. Additionally, literacy in South Africa is low, especially in the more rural areas. Because of this we feel the Lord is leading to start a mobile reading workshop ministry we can take to mission schools, townships and rural locations in the northern KwaZulu Natal region. This workshop would provide reading materials, parent training and tutoring for youth free of charge.

Where are we?:

Working on Children & Youth with Into All The World in Africa