Snoeks Desmond with fellow adult educator Jean Evans
Early on Saturday morning, 17 October 2009, a group of CAN members was joined by several adult literacy teachers in the Ruth Sugden Tower room, first for a delicious breakfast and then to listen to Snoeks Desmond from Durban, South Africa.
Snoeks is an early childhood development and family literacy expert who spoke about her work with the Family Literacy Program. Snoeks established the program in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2000, but she now travels into other African countries advising governments and other agencies who want to set up their own family literacy programs.
Kwa Zulu Natal is where Alan Paton’s novel ‘Cry the Beloved Country’ is set. It is now the province most affected by HIV Aids and Snoeks talked about how important literacy is in educating about such issues as HIV Aids and health and sanitation.
Leah, Niko & Mac at the breakfast
Snoeks’ presentation provided a moving account of the work of the family literacy program, and a small glimpse into life in this part of South Africa.
The Family Literacy Program is an NGO (non-government organisation) which has won several significant educational awards. This was Snoeks’ first visit to Australia and she was supported by the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
