Impact in Action

Spreading Colour, Joy and Literacy with BIC at Hope High School (2025)

All images have been approved by the school for use.

In June 2025, our team collaborated with BIC to deliver an interactive literacy and art session for Grade 1 learners at Hope High School in KwaZulu-Natal. We proudly sponsored the Great African Read story coloring books for the school, while BIC generously provided the coloring pencils to accompany the books. This collaboration allowed us to host a session filled with storytelling, creativity and fun.

During the session, each learner received their own Great African Read story coloring book and BIC coloring pencils. This was followed by an engaging book reading activity and a coloring competition. The joy and excitement in the room were evident. Moments like these illustrate how simple tools can build confidence, inspire imagination, and foster a love for learning.

Literacy remains a critical challenge across the continent and close to home. In sub‑Saharan Africa, youth literacy rates rose from 66% to 77.5% between 2000 and 2020. Still, around 98 million school-aged children remain out of school and nearly 9 in 10 children in school cannot read a simple text by age 10 (UNESCO). In South Africa specifically, adult literacy stands at an encouraging 95% – the second-highest rate in Africa – yet 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning (Mail & Guardian).

These statistics paint a clear picture: access to quality early education and simple resources like pencils and books can make a significant difference in supporting foundational literacy skills.

Hope High School has a special place in our journey and this session reaffirmed our belief in community-centered development and shared-value partnerships. We are deeply grateful to BIC for their support and for recognising the importance of grassroots investment in education.

Together, we continue to craft learning experiences that empower children to build their futures – one story, one pencil, one bright mind at a time.

Relevant Statistics
Sub-Saharan Africa
Youth literacy rate: Increased from 66% (2000) to 77.5% (2020)
Source: UNESCO
Children out of school: Approximately 98 million school-aged children remain out of school in the region
Source: UNESCO
Reading proficiency: Nearly 9 in 10 in-school children cannot read a simple text by age 10
Source: UNESCO

South Africa
Adult literacy rate: 95%, the second-highest in Africa
Source: Mail & Guardian
Grade 4 reading for meaning: 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning
Source: Mail & Guardian
Forecast for 2026: An estimated 69% of 10-year-olds will still struggle to read with comprehension
Source: News24