Impact Stories
Behind every outcome is a learner, a teacher, a story.
5,000+
Children reached through our programmes
Across primary schools and partner communities in Cape Town.
Mrs Dlamini
"The training changed how I teach reading. My learners are more engaged, and I have new tools every week."
Before
Limited access to modern literacy teaching methods and classroom support.
After
Equipped with CPD training, practical resources and a network of facilitators to lean on.
Feedback From Teachers & Parents
Genuine messages shared with us by the teachers and families we work alongside.
For Avril
A note of thanks written for Avril and the heart she brings to every classroom.
"For a wonderful teacher...
You're totally amazing, through and through, and I can't thank you enough for everything that you do.
This note is a reminder that you've helped me come so far. You're not just any teacher, you're a real-life superstar.
You'll never know the difference you make every day. The truth is, you are valued so much more than words can say."
Dedicated to Avril
A note of appreciation shared with the Kezlei Foundation
Building Confidence Through Reading
Dedicated to Avril, whose patience and encouragement help children grow in confidence. This genuine exchange was shared between a teacher and a parent.
Teacher
"He did an amazing job — he has been added to our Tricky Word Champions."
Parent
"Oh, thank you so much. As his mom, moments like these make my heart so incredibly proud. He has worked so hard, and seeing his effort being recognised means the world to us. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and for believing in him. It truly makes such a difference. We are very proud parents."
Teacher
"It's amazing as his teacher to watch him bloom and build confidence in his reading. You have every right to be proud parents."
"An absolute pleasure in our classroom"
Miss G. Brennen wrote to us about the weekly reading and art sessions in her Grade R class.
It has been an absolute pleasure having Miss Avril in our Grade R classroom every Thursday for the past four weeks.
She is friendly, approachable and kind — always patient with the children and genuinely interested in what they have to say. Her storytelling brings the room to life: she changes her voice for each character, holds the learners' attention, and encourages them to ask questions, retell the story, and remember it long after she has left.
The art activities have been just as meaningful. The children are excited to create, proud to show their work, and happy to display their creations in the classroom.
I am truly grateful for the wonderful programme the Kezlei Foundation has created and implemented at our school.
Miss G. Brennen
Grade R Teacher
Reading with St. Raphael's, Athlone
On 3 September 2026, volunteer Aqeelah Hoosain visited St. Raphael's RC Primary in Athlone as part of the Kezlei Foundation Literacy Programme — working with Grade 1 and Grade 3 learners through African stories from The Stories That Ran Away series.
With two Grade 3 classes, I read First Light — the learners took turns reading paragraphs aloud with me, then tackled a synonym challenge, finding words within the text and suggesting others with similar meanings.
With the Grade 1 class, we sat together on the mat while I read The Tale of Mouse. The learners answered questions about the story and described the pictures, building their listening, comprehension and vocabulary skills.
Some learners could read independently and explain concepts such as synonyms; others needed support with basic word recognition and pronunciation, so we used simpler activities — identifying a familiar word like "and" on the page, or sounding out individual words.
Overall, the sessions were an opportunity to engage learners at different reading levels, using African stories to develop literacy, vocabulary, reading and comprehension skills.
Aqeelah Hoosain
Volunteer Reading Specialist · St. Raphael's RC Primary, Athlone
A reading session at St. Raphael's — children's faces are blurred to protect their privacy.
Recent Programme Moments
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