Literacy project to help 'write' a few wrongs

"The lack of literacy means people cannot read or write and may be forced to do menial work," says Sofia Roque, PaperMate brand manager. "In turn, the inability to earn a decent living jeopardises the chances of providing an education, which is the life blood of a nation. It is a vicious circle."

Roque explains the meaning of 1 in 1 out: "Whenever you buy a new shirt, for example, you have received 'one in' and have one more than you had before. You are therefore in a position to give 'one out' from your wardrobe.

"1 in 1 out would like you to give that shirt to them, as we wage a war against poverty. Not just shirts, clothing, furniture, equipment that has not reached the end of its usefulness, but also a skill that you can impart to the impoverished.

"At PaperMate, we have been giving 'thousands out', as part of the PaperMate Literacy Project, since 2004. Our donation of pens is worth 3% of PaperMate's total sales across the nation. We chose 1 in 1 out as a suitable partner to increase the reach of our charitable donations."

1 in 1 out reveals the appalling depth to which South Africa's poverty reaches. The charity has been supporting three schools that have children from extremely poor families. The support is in the form of lunch programmes, the staple of which is bread donated by major bakeries. Most of the children would take the bread home to share with the rest of the family. One of the bakeries has cut its donations by 70%, and 1 in 1 out is struggling as a result.

"Hungry children cannot concentrate on their lessons," Roque says. "They are therefore less likely to become literate ... so ensuring the vicious circle remains unbroken. We believe that our contribution to the PaperMate Literacy Programme and initiatives like 1 in 1 out, will change the future of our illiterate."

For more information, visit: www.papermate.co.za