Mobile Library

It all started on a bicycle when the CEO of Du Toitskloof Wines went cycling through the farmlands and noticed children walking home from school without a suitcase, let alone homework books. After local research and investigation, he quickly realised that there was a great lack in the development of literacy skills in the valley. It was then that he initiated the Mobile Library project.

Launched by Du Toitskloof Wines and co-sponsored by Douglas Green Wine, the Mobile Library impacts the lives of 1600 children from nine primary schools in the Rawsonville, Goudini and Worcester areas. For five days a week, the Mobile Library gives access not only to more than 5000 books but also to the onboard computers with full Internet service.

Today the Mobile Library aims to supplement what is happening in the classroom. Through state of the art computer programmes, facilitators are able to track each child’s progress: They can give extra attention to those falling behind, and stimulate gifted children with programmes to broaden their skills.

The library is fitted out with internet access, 20 computers, learning aids, and thousands of books, that travel the local wine lands on a daily basis. The Mobile Library stops at primary schools where even the most basic reading and educational material are lacking. Today the library offers reading material for students from Grade R to Grade 7. Once inside the colourful modern ‘classroom’ learners are allowed to take out books to read at home, and engage in mathematics and language programmes on the laptops, installed in the bus. In the afternoons, the high school children are also allowed to access the Wi-Fi to complete school projects and tasks.

Since its inception in 2015, the mobile library has helped expose hundreds of children to the joys of reading and assisted in fostering a learner culture among those less privileged.

In 2018 the Mobile Library was awarded the Fair Ngoma Fairtrade Africa Award in the Special Award Category for Most Innovation in a Premium Project. In 2019 the Mobile Library was awarded the ATKV Woordveertjie Award; a very special ATKV award given to a South African company that promotes reading.