Ford participates in annual Rally to Read initiative

During May and June each year, convoys of vehicles depart from five main cities across the country to deliver educational material and resources to some of the country's most remote and neglected schools. On arrival at the schools, participants meet and interact with the learners and teachers as part of the process of delivering books and offering curriculum support to teachers,

The weekend-long rally saw the company taking to the roads of northern KwaZulu-Natal in a Ford Ranger in support of the cause.

"Teams left to visit two schools each and deliver books and other resources for all grades. There was a short presentation at each school; symbolic signing of the contract between the school and the project and a short 'tour' of the school. It's eye-opening to see the excitement and gratitude of the learners as the convoy arrives," explains the company's VP of Finance, Michael Brielmaier, who participated in the event.

Phenomenal turnout

"Despite it being a weekend and the distances some needed to travel to reach the schools, the turnout was phenomenal. It is heartening to know there is such a thirst for knowledge and through this initiative thousands of young South Africans will have an opportunity to transform their circumstances."

When a school is identified as a beneficiary of the Rally to Read programme, they embark on a three-year process that not only entails the acceptance of literacy materials but also the critical follow-up teacher support and training.