Cape Town • South Africa

Reading today.Dreaming bigger tomorrow.

Shaylex Community Projects empowers children through literacy and nourishment. Because a hungry child cannot learn, every reading session brings concentration, energy and care to the table.

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Shaylex Community Projects logo

A story in motion

Open a book.
Open a future.

Every story begins with a page.

Reading opens a world of possibility.

A book feeds the mind.
A meal gives it the energy to grow.

Help write the next chapter.Help a child

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40+Children supported
Reading sessions each week
1Warm meal with every session
Reasons to dream bigger
The belief at the heart of our work

A hungry child cannot learn.

That is why learning and nourishment go hand in hand at Shaylex. Children receive reading support together with a nourishing meal, in a space built on patience and possibility.

Children sharing a nourishing meal at Shaylex
Our flagship programme

Meet the BonteKids

In Bonteheuwel, around 40 children gather after school to read, eat and grow. The programme builds reading confidence, comprehension and general wellbeing.

READ
EAT
GROW
DREAM

Discover BonteKids

A simple rhythm

How Shaylex works

Welcome

Children arrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Read

Volunteers work with small groups to develop reading skills.

Eat

Children receive a nourishing meal to fuel the learning.

Grow

Confidence, curiosity and learning develop over time.

A current need

Rain should never cancel learning.

Reading sessions have historically taken place on an open patio or stoep. A covered, wind-protected learning space would keep children reading through Cape Town's winter weather.

Help build the learning space
The goal
A safe roof.
A protected space.
Year-round reading.