Penreach

Penreach is an NGO and a social impact organisation working towards educational excellence in disadvantaged rural communities in Mpumalanga. Penreach was established in 1991 to provide access to quality education and is known for its local knowledge and expertise on grassroot level. We reach more than 500 000 beneficiaries each year with Early Childhood Development, Literacy and Numeracy, Math & Science and Leadership projects in the Ehlanzeni district. This includes 130 ECD centres, 97 schools, 125 communities and the classrooms of 1200 teachers. Through innovative coaching, mentoring and training we build the capacity of leaders and educators to deliver quality education to children from 0 years to grade 12. We work closely with caregivers, parents, learners, children and other stakeholders such as the Department of Education, and Department of Social Services and NGOs in the education space to achieve our goals. If there is perhaps something that should keep us up at night, as a nation, this is that 58% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning, while 29% are considered illiterate. The effects of this crisis will continue to be felt for decades to come. It is a crisis in education that continues to perpetuate inequality and poverty.