Lea-Anne Moses, Executive Director and Trustee at the Fundza Literacy Trust, shares some powerful insights into how ensuring people of colour can read empowers them to dream up – then build up – our future. This is Lea-Anne Moses’ story in her own words.
South Africa (27 June 2023) – Imagine a little girl, only eleven years old, staying up all night for several nights to write a play for her school’s annual concert. Inspired by Treasure Island, she weaves themes of friendship, adventure, and redemption into her story. But what makes this adaptation truly unique is that she also included a reference to Cissy Gool, a South African lawyer and freedom fighter whose story was shared with her secretly by a teacher.
Despite coming down with measles the week of the concert and being unable to attend the performance of the play, it was a huge hit. It demonstrated, to that little girl, the power of access to stories. Whether Treasure Island or the forbidden story of Cissy Gool – it helped her to develop a stronger sense of self, as she could draw from a wide range of experiences and perspectives to craft her own story.
I was that little girl. During the 1980s, I grew up in a community on the Cape Flats of Apartheid South Africa. We had limited resources and access to new books was not readily available to people of colour. Thankfully, my love for reading was nurtured by my family and teachers. Books and stories were my constant companions, transporting me to different worlds and teaching me about the intricacies of human experience.
You see, stories lie at the very core of human existence. They possess the remarkable ability to foster connections and cultivate empathy among individuals. Stories serve as conduits through which knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. In our country, stories have been misused to dispossess and denigrate, but they have also been harnessed as a source of empowerment and hope, even in the bleakest times.
Moreover, stories have the profound capacity to expand our horizons, enabling us to glimpse a world beyond the confines of our limited surroundings. They inspire us to envision a future for ourselves, even when we come from backgrounds that offer scant privileges for dreaming—yet encourage us to dream grandly.
In my personal experience, (growing up in an environment where access to books, plays, and poetry has always been and continues to be, a luxury afforded to a fortunate few) many young individuals lack the guidance of parents or teachers who can provide them with the literary resources necessary to fuel their imaginations and shape their own destinies.
Yet, the more children read, the better they can build up and expand their knowledge. When the words we read become pictures in our heads, and our brains manipulate them into explorative images, the practice strengthens our mind as it acts like a muscle. These are some benefits of reading and imagination.
I find immense inspiration in the transformative power of reading, particularly for children hailing from under-resourced communities. In my journey, I was fortunate enough to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Inclusive Innovation. And, because of my intimate understanding of how disenfranchisement can affect human development, I became even more interested in the use of innovative technology to confront these issues. Thanks to this technology, I know very well that we can share stories faster and wider than ever before.
For twelve years, the Fundza Literacy Trust, the organisation I am affiliated with, has harnessed the power of technology to distribute stories that deeply resonate with the hearts and minds of young individuals who navigate similar communities and circumstances as mine. Just imagine the boundless possibilities when young people can receive and access exhilarating, locally created content through their mobile devices that authentically speak to their experiences and enables them to see themselves reflected within these narratives. The data-light mobisite, live.fundza.mobi effectively accomplishes this feat in a country where over 85% of youth consider mobile phones their most valuable and indispensable asset.
I firmly believe that every young individual deserves unfettered access to stories that ignite their inspiration, provide knowledge, and entertain. These stories can showcase endless possibilities, instil self-belief, and even inspire the potential for positive change within their communities and our entire nation. With the aid of technology, we can extend our reach to a child residing in the remotest corners of our geography, illuminating the notion that a life beyond their current circumstances exists and is within their grasp.
The Fundza Literacy Trust is deeply committed to enhancing the literacy levels of young individuals in South Africa, fostering the growth of educated, engaged, and empowered citizens. Through our innovative programmes, we strive to ignite a love for reading among young people by creating and distributing compelling reading materials that are authentically rooted in local contexts, mirroring the lives and experiences of our youth. To learn more about the impactful work carried out by the Trust, please visit our website at: Fundza Literacy Trust | Reading changes lives!
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