Released on = July 26, 2007, 1:27 am

Press Release Author = International Realtors

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = Lola Kramer's literacy project is proudly uplifting.

Press Release Body = Cape Town, South Africa - 26 July 2007 - Having realised the
low level of literacy skills among the more senior learners (12-17); Lola , as an
ex-school teacher and Principal of Lola Kramer International Realtors situated in
Hout Bay, has embarked on a drive to improve these very crucial skills and has set
up a reading/literacy program. This program is dedicated to getting the children
like Simpilo back to school and off the streets.

The project has taken off so well and more and more students have joined the
program. School master of Sentinel Primary, J. Jansen, says that most of the
children were unable to identify the letters of the alphabet. "I am indeed pleased
and excited to report that they can now read full sentences with comprehension" he
said. From every property sale that Lola Kramer
(http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za) makes, she has dedicated a portion towards
the literacy program.

According to the Stanford University website, literacy rates in South Africa are
very low. Thirty percent of adults are functionally illiterate (ELRU). One of the
basic causes of this is the lack of money to fund education. Although up to 20% of
the nation\'s budget is spent on educational programmes, resources are not sufficient
to provide every learner with the opportunity to become a confident reader and
writer. Inequitable funding structures, disparities in school fees, insufficient
teacher training, lack of supplementary materials in indigenous African languages,
absence of access to books are typically seen as the causes of low literacy rates.
While these are certainly key factors, specialists also point out that South Africa
does not have a \"reading culture.\"
The attitudes toward reading in particular are not conducive to literacy, and include:
· Reading is not something people do during their free time;
· Reading is not something useful outside of school;
· Reading is often not seen as an empowering skill
A large percentage of the population do not have books in their homes. Drop-out
rates are above 50%, with many students finding no point in continuing, or getting
recruited by neighborhood gangs (Abrams). Many parents also do not know about the
resources they could offer or seek out to further their children\'s education (ELRU).
Differences between the language used as the educational medium and the language
spoken at home add to the difficulties of building a reading culture.
Lola commented: "We have consistently achieved the highest prices paid for
properties in Hout Bay and Llandudno. This is due to our realistic pricing, our
consistent and aggressive marketing and the International Realtors
(http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za) referral network which makes properties
accessible locally, nationally and internationally. A portion of our sales are used
to fund our reading/literacy program. We still believe that there is no substitute
for experience, hard work and dedication. We always negotiate a great deal and
believe strongly in creating a 'reading culture' in South Africa and giving back to
the community that we serve."

Contact Lola Kramer International Realtors for more information on property in South
Africa or the literacy project. Direct line: 021 790 4439 Email:
sales@lolakramer.com . Other helpful information regarding this press release can be
found at: http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za

For More Information Contact:
International Realtors
Tel: 021 556 9009
Email: irho@mweb.co.za
Web: http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za



Web Site = http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za

Contact Details = International Realtors
Tel: 021 556 9009
Email: irho@mweb.co.za
Web: http://www.internationalrealtors.co.za