I
am reaching out to you for a donation towards the purpose of starting a mobile library for youth currently and formerly incarcerated in Cape Town prisons, such as Pollsmoor, Brandvlei, and Drakenstein Prisons. The idea for
this project came about through my facilitations of life-skills and creative
workshops in Pollsmoor Prison through Young in Prison South Africa (YiPSA).
Background Info:
Current access to literature in most Cape Town prisons is inconsistent and dependent on staff willingness to provide the service. Also, libraries are stocked haphazardly, resulting in a lack of interest in them and even discouragement from reading. I, supported by research on the topic, believe that access to literature is fundamental in the transformation of lives, both by improving academic levels and by providing a creative and therapeutic outlet. This project directly fosters social and cultural growth amongst some of South Africa’s most disadvantaged young individuals. Moreover, being enabled "to take part in cultural activities and education aimed at the full development of the human personality” is a recommended right of prisoners, as put forth by the UN in their resolution "Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners" (UNGA resolution 45/111).
YiPSA
is an international non-profit organization that seeks to prepare youth in
conflict with law in making the transition from incarceration back into
society, by using a unique methodology of teaching life skills using creative
and performing arts, sports and literacy. YiPSA looks at rehabilitation
holistically from the perspective of the individual, community and
institution. We seek to develop the skills of young offenders and
ex-offenders so that they are empowered to advocate for issues that affect
their development and enable them to actively and positively engage in society.
I have become involved with YiPSA and Pollsmoor through CIEE's semester-long Service Learning Program in Cape Town. CIEE is a not-for-profit provider of study abroad experiences based in the US. The Service Learning Program intends to create an academic environment for students to learn from and give back to their host communities, while maintaining community needs and concerns as a priority.
The Project:
Current access to literature
at Pollsmoor across sections is inconsistent and dependent on staff willingness to provide the
service. The section for which this project is intended, Medium Security A, has
a library room, but no books in it. This project is unique because it is not
looking for any books available, but rather is intentionally stocking mainly South
African and African writers, writing about topics to which the youth could
relate, purposely avoiding further cultural
alienation of young offenders. Books will be expand on in group sessions, individual responses, and creative projects during YiPSA workshops. The idea of creating a space for marginalized
and unheard voices is integral to this project. I
have identified approximately thirty appropriate titles by authors such as Niq
Mhlongo, K. Sello Duiker, or Kgebetli Moele. Some books have been kindly
donated by relevant publishers, but some must purchased at discount or full
price.The second aim of this project is to provide books
that are accessible to a range of literacy levels, as well as materials that
can be used to improve literacy. Your donation towards context-specific books
and materials will help empower the incarcerated youth towards personal
development.
The sustainability of the project is ensured by the physical presence of the library, as well as YiPSA’s accountability that guarantees that workshops will continue once I leave and that your donations to
this project will be utilized to their full capacity.
Please check out the campaign's gallery for more information and context, as well as YiPSA's website for publications of creative work by inmates from the past.
I
wholeheartedly thank you for taking the time to consider contributing to the
essence of this project.
Sincerely,
Karen
