During the weekend of the 23-25 August 2019, learners from five of Sifunda Kunye schools attended the annual writing camp.

This year the theme/topic to write about was UBUNTU. Learners was  preparing for this weekend before they arrived at the camp.

The weekend was a huge success! The learners all completed their writing with inspiration from their peers , facilitators and quest speakers.

We would like to thank all that made this weekend possible. We  acknowledge our funder Mr Andrew Summers for making this weekend possible.

Dedicated youth facilitators from St Matthews High School and Xolani Senior Secondary School celebrated the end of 2018 on the 24^th of November 2018, we had a BBQ and prize giving at Winterstrand Beach in East London. Top facilitators for 2018 were chosen by their schools and peers. Congratulation to Kuma Kula from Xolani Senior Secondary School and Sinethula Madelo from St Matthews High School for achieving top facilitators position 2018. During our prize giving we also awarded two dedicated volunteers/teachers for always assisting Sifunda Kunye projects, Mr F Kambukwe from Xolani Senior Secondary school and Mr T Mazukwa from Toise Senior Secondary  School.

# writing camp 2018 – themes – my culture my pride and Imimoya Spirits (The calling)

Writing Camp Empowers Learners

On be half of the school, learners, parents and SGB, we would like to welcome the following new teachers to our staff this year:

Saturday 4^th of March 2017, Sifunda Kunye hosted and launched a community reading club at Xolani Senior Secondary School, Student facilitator from St Matthews High school in Keiskammahoek, together with student volunteers from Xolani Senior Secondary School spread the love of reading with the community of Zwelitsha, Ever since then we have been hosting monthly community reading clubs. Our Saturday reading clubs include storytelling, in both English and mother tongue, we had poetry, breakaway readings and we learn new words in both languages through song and dance. Overall, the reading clubs are very fun and educational. We also have our own-trained facilitators at Xolani SSS, the facilitators were formally trained at Sifunda Kunye literacy Centre at St Matthews High School in January this year. Thank you to Sifunda Kunye reading clubs and Xolani Senior Secondary School faculty members for making these events possible.

Sifunda Kunye reading club facilitators and volunteers from our Reading clubs at Xolani SSS and St Matthews High School celebrated the end of the year. We are looking forward to continue impacting many more through our Reading club initiatives in 2018.

Seventy learners from four area schools explored creativity, learning, and self-expression in an intense writing camp over the weekend. The camp was sponsored and hosted by the Sifunda Kunye Educational Project, a local public benefit organization that has been active in the King Williams Town district since 2008.

Sifunda Kunye invites 10 to 15 learners from each of its partner schools in the King William’s Town District and Grahamstown district participate in these camps. This past weekend, learners from St. Matthew’s, Xolani, Richard Varha, Toise and Hendrik Kanise combined Schools spent an intense 3 days (Friday-Sunday) focusing on a specific theme, completing personal works, and submitting them for peer critique. This session’s theme was “Dreams are made of…” and learners were encouraged to express what dreams and ambitions means to them in essays, poems, and group discussions and drama. Participants received guidance from a talented group of volunteer facilitators, student leaders, and the Sifunda Kunye staff. Participants submit their work for inclusion into a published student journal at the end of the camp. The journal is a unique opportunity for many to see their work in print.

Learners and teachers are continually impressed with the writing camps. Participants relish the opportunity to engage in an in-depth weekend of imaginative learning. They enjoy improving their language and writing skills in a fun and creative venue outside of the classroom. Teacher’s enjoy witnessing the progress these young writers make over the course of a weekend.

The Sifunda Kunye Literacy Project’s writing camps have been successfully running since they first launched in August 2014. Sifunda Kunye supports literacy and technology programs in Eastern Cape schools.

Saturday the 4th of March 2017, Sifunda Kunye hosted a book club at Xolani Senior Secondary School, Student volunteers from St Matthews HIgh school in Keiskammahoek, together with student volunteers from Xolani Senior Secondary School spread the love of reading with the community of Zwelitsha, we had story telling, in both English and mother tongue, we had poetry, we learned new words and a song. Overall we had a fun day. Thank you to Sifunda Kunye book clubs, Student volunteers from St Matthews High School and Xolani Senior Secondary School for making this event possible.