The Sabinet Chairperson’s Fund has been supporting a number of projects such as ABET classes, Maths tuition, School children funding, Enterprise development (Shoma Computing and Nsobo Catering) in Tshwane over the past few years. The Sabinet Chairperson’s Fund recently invited libraries to send in proposals for funding for projects in community libraries from regions other than Tshwane in 2009/2010.The basic guidelines of this funding were:
- a single project should not exceed R25 000;
- a maximum of 3 projects will be awarded;
- the project must be community based;
- the project should make a measurable difference to the community;
- the project must be able to stand alone (i.e. the funding cannot be used for an existing or larger project);
- the closing date for project proposals was 30 September 2009.
The following information was requested in the project proposal (not existing 10 pages):
- who the co-ordinator of the project will be;
- a brief description of the library;
- information on existing outreach projects initiated by the library including outcomes of projects (statistics, news clips, pamphlets, photos, etc)
- a description of the involvement of the friends of the library or user committee in the library;
- information on the marketing strategies of the library;
- a detailed motivation for funding of the proposed project including
- a project overview;
- a budget of how the funding will be spent;
- benefits of the project to the community.
The Sabinet Chairperson’s Fund Committee evaluated the sixteen excellent proposals that were received and a decision was made as follows:
- Makana Libraries Audiobook Project –The aim of this project is to provide children of the Makana District (which involves six libraries, viz. Hill Street Library, Community Library, Fingo Library, Duna Library, Riebeeck East Library and Alicedale Library) with easy access to audio recordings of books and stories, along with their text equivalents. Proposal sent in by Rod Amner (Rhodes University). Coordinators are Patricia Vubela and Rod Amner.
- Thinking Skills for Ukhanyo Project – Thinking skills helps children to harness and improve the manner in which they speak. In the process it improves their vocabulary, language development, listening, reasoning, social skills and most importantly, their reading skills. Currently being offered and very popular at Masiphumelele Library (a ‘satellite to Fish Hoek Library), Lyn Steyn from Fish Hoek Library thought it would be a brilliant idea to introduce the programme to more learners and involve more teachers from Ukhanyo Primary School. The coordinator of the project is Susan Alexander.
- Media Centre at Watersmeet Thusong Centre – To set up a community media centre at the Community Library and Media Centre : Watersmeet with the appropriate resources and reading material for the disadvantaged community of Watersmeet. The media centre will be furnished and equipped with research material. Proposal sent in by Sandy Maharaj of Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality.
The coordinators of the abovementioned projects are required to provide full reports, news clips, photos etc. in order for us to report back to the Sabinet shareholders .Thank you for your submissions. Congratulations and good luck to the winning libraries!