Reading Rebels

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Uplifting report by one of last year's students. Thankful to have been able to share the journey with him.

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER READING REBELS – DAVID
Before I was introduced to Reading Rebels, my life was taking a turn where everyone including my parents gave up on me.
I recall one time I slapped my Sister just because she did not want to move away from the television. I had become so violent that they actually considered taking me to anger management classes. I was angry all the time. It was like an addiction I couldn’t stop or control.
I guess when we get older we see ourselves stronger than ever; we imagine that we can do anything and everything on our own, but we are wrong. There came a time in my life when no-one could tell me anything. If they did, I would just glance at them with a somewhat vampire-ring thirst for blood, not killing but only wounding them and leaving them as victims for everyone to see. I was not to be messed with!
Before Reading Rebels I had a few relationships; let’s just say they didn’t work out. I was stressed all the time. I was searching for mistakes inside of me, but I always ended up blaming my partner instead. I did not want to take the responsibility that I was the problem. I became a threat to my lovers and in the end I would lose them all. This led to rejection, self-pity, anger and my self-esteem being broken.
The anger became so great that I wouldn’t even listen to our Pastor’s advice, without dismissing it and swearing afterwards. I was tormented. I believed that I was that Man! I’m not proud of who I was, but I’m proud of the product that Reading Rebels created.
Reading the books changed me. It made me see life differently. It made me realize that I am accountable for my past and deal with my failures in the past. I accepted that. The books changed my behaviour and gave me a reason to live … and let live. Now I’m in a healthy relationship for a few months already. My life feels sorted out and I have a great relationship with my parents. I now understand them and they understand me.

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER READING REBELS – THOBIAS
Before I joined Reading Rebels I used to be a naughty boy. At the age of 15, Gr 10, I did things which are not normal for my age. I used to want to be part of the biggest gang group at school. At the time I used to hang out with this group, we would break down the school by breaking windows, and not pay attention in class. Most of my days were to come to school and just bunk my classes. Spend the whole day in the corridors art school. A lot was happening at school with my life, every week me and my old friends would be in the office because of gang fights and fighting with teachers. I knew that I won’t get into trouble because of my classmates. I was one of the best clowns in my class; my classmates loved that side of me. They supported me in everything that I do. This type of attention made me worse.
Things at home were the same, due to the type of bad friends I had at school, A few days before I joined Reading Rebels, Police took me for having a bag of w**d in my pocket on a Friday night. They took me to the Police station and I stayed there for the whole weekend. No one was on my side except my parents and family; but none of my friends. The Monday I was introduced to the Custodian of Reading Rebels and he gave me my first book. It was ‘Screw it, let’s do it. I was happy about hearing that I would get paid R200 for reading a book. When I got home that day, my Girlfriend and her mother were at my home to inform me that I was a Father to be. I was not in a good place.
Reading Rebels turned out to be the father that I needed in my life. It brought me hope to live again. When I joined RR at this crucial time, my whole life started to fall into place piece by piece. I have become the person who I always wanted to be deep down. The program taught me that life is not for the small minded person, but for people who are willing to learn and work hard to get a better life than the one you are living. It inspired me on many levels. It showed me how to set life goals and to follow my dreams with all my heart; just by using my mind and my actions. Reading Rebels changed my lifestyle. I stopped smoking w**d and I left the gang before it was too late. I focused on my future and my family’s future. I’ve learnt self-respect and how to respect others; just by staying true to myself, no matter what.
Reading Rebels pulled me back onto a straight line and taught me how to survive in this world by following good habits. Anything is honestly possible.

WHAT READING REBELS HAS TAUGHT ME – NEWTON

My life before Reading Rebels has not been easy but not difficult at the same time.
It was based on many negative thoughts and a lot of fear in terms of standing out amongst others. It was a bit complicated. Decisions I made before the programme were both stupid and unlike the person I am today. My life was filled with doubt and it lacked trust. Before Reading Rebels, my future had been planned out, but it lacked a lot of faith and belief. The way I handled problems was to focus on the negative. I had less people close to me and had less people I considered friends. I had many downfalls and troubles. I viewed life differently, including the way I lived it. I found life to be tricky and confusing. I felt less love, but that was maybe because I did not understand what love was. The same applied to my dreams, because I did not understand how powerful it could be.
Reading Rebels was an experience I pray to never forget, as it me better at all that I do in life. I have learnt to appreciate life in a way that I couldn’t do before. It has not only made life easier, but it has helped me to view life in a better and different way compared to before.
It has helped me to understand the world and how it works as well. It taught me the importance of dreaming and the purpose of living my dream. It gave me a better understanding of people and drew me closer to them. It showed me the importance of reading. It taught me to read with understanding. After this experience, I have been approaching everything around me in a very polite manner, regardless of how angry some situations make me feel. For me, life is less tricky and confusing now. It feels like I have not been going through as much problems and temptations as before, because I have learnt to focus on my purpose. Reading Rebels has taught me to appreciate all that I do for myself and all that I do for others.
Thank you.

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER READING REBELS – HADEN
Before I came to the Rebels, I was a very stubborn boy and was very rude to all my friends. I also disrespected people and constantly used to back chat. I also used to fight with other kids and used to steal their things from them and take it for me. Sometimes I took my friends balls without them knowing and never gave it back to them. In the classroom, I used to tackle and trip the other students and disrupt them. I used to take away their books and hide it, so that they couldn’t write. I used to point people in the wrong direction to exam venues and told them the incorrect things to study for the exams. I even gave my friends the wrong answers in the exams, so that they would fail.
Then one of my friends told me about Reading Rebels, and I joined. My first book was, “Screw it, Let’s do it!”. When I read this book, my way of thinking started to change. I realised that I have to be kind to people and that there was more to life. I saw that I must start changing my ways to live a life that is full. From then on I started to think about my future and the words of the book started to have an impact on my attitude towards life.
The books changed my life a hundred times better than it was before I started reading books. But it wasn’t only the books that made the change, but also the people who gave us the opportunity to be part of RR. They taught us things that we haven’t heard from in school. They were also interested in my opinion and gave us support by listening when my parents and teachers were not. The books gave me so many ideas for the future and ways on how to treat people. The important things that the books teach us, is to have respect in life and in this way we can succeed. The books changed my constant bad mood to a good one. Because of the books I respect everyone around me now. The books gave me Hope in life to never give up and to persist until I succeed. The books also taught me lots of different skills that I now use not only in my academic side, but also in sports. If I did not read books, I would not be wise today. So the books changed me from the dark to the light. In the beginning I never used to study for tests at schools. Now the words of the books are stuck with glue in my mind, and I now study for every test.
My school is rocking now that RR is here, because my points are higher than ever and I like people and get along with them. All the books that RR gave me to read were the best thing that could happen in my life. Now it is very easy for me to make a success of my life, because I just have to take the advice given and never quit! Today I am at peace and happy to make the right decision in my life. I am also grateful that I can now be an inspiration to others who used to view me as nothing but trouble in the past.
Thanks RR!

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER READING REBELS – VICKY
Before I became a Reading Rebel, I had no idea that it would help me this much. I learnt a lot and it made life a bit easier.
Before I began with the program I did not really love reading. I didn’t spend my time with books or newspapers, but now I cannot stop reading. I annoyed fellow students and teachers alike. My teacher must now check to see if I’m really in class because I’m not a nuisance to her anymore. My friends were also worried because they noticed the change in me.
The program has helped me financially, as I can now afford hygiene products, which could become very embarrassing for a teenage girl.
I also had a lot of problems at home I never really knew how to take care of. I learnt that if I’m always going to make excuses because of my problems, I will get nowhere. I also learnt never to give up no matter what the problem is. I’m never sorry that I’m part of the program. Today I’m a very stronger person because of the stuff I’ve learnt.
The diary entry helped me a lot. I had no more dark days because I knew that I have to make the best of every day. Through RR I have met good people who have told me to keep up the good work and stay the person I have become today no matter what. I never really felt that I had the power to take on the World. Every day after school I just wanted to sleep, I stayed out of school a lot, and I just wanted to have nice times with my friends. I learnt that there is more to life than just having fun, or what I thought fun was. I began to help people a lot and had the power to keep doing good deeds for others, myself and my family.
I was always the one to make plans for the weekends and for parties. I was the funny one between my friends and I never really showed them that I was sad inside. Today I’m the one to tell my friends to never give up. Through this I encouraged two of my friends to return to school, even though they told me that I just want to “preek” (preach). I told them that without education you will be nothing in this World and never to worry about people who judge you, because they won’t give you what you can get through education. So even if they joke about you sitting in a grade for three years; their opinion does not matter.
Today I don’t make the plans that I made when I was younger. I plan for the future and make decisions about the life I want one day. I share this with everyone I know. Today I don’t make plans for parties; I make plans for Church and school. I feel blessed and happy for what the program gave to me. If it wasn’t for the books I read and the money received, I don’t know where I would have been.
I cannot remember how many books I’ve read, but there isn’t one that I can say that I didn’t like nor that I can say didn’t teach me anything. I love all the books and it taught me a lot. The one book that I would like to read out loud for the World though is “Opportunity Knocks”. This is because in this World today there are a lot of people who don’t have work, but they’re always making excuses. I know that this book will help a lot of people and change their mind-set. It helped me a lot because I shared with everyone what I have learnt in the book and I applied it in my life and I saw the results. I learnt that hard work will pay off one day; you just have to work hard.
Another book I would like to share with the World is “Life in Prison”. Everywhere I go I see Gangsters. Everyone wants to be a gangster, but nobody really knows what life is really like in prison. I was shocked after reading the book, that human beings are actually treated like animals in there. I think it is important for children to know that. I always tell my girlfriends that it was nice to roll with the “big dogs” and do what they do, but who will end up in jail when things go wrong? It’s considered cool to wear tattoos and flags, but you are placing your life in danger and it will lead to your death. It may look easy to do but the consequences are harsh. I feel sad when I see that young children are being used by old gangsters and I think that Stanley’s story will open up a lot of young children’s’ eyes. Life isn’t easy, but with the wrong friends it’s even worse.
I was the person that will cry me to sleep. I never spoke about my problems much or at all. I would go around not smiling and feeling unhappy all day at times. The RR program made me strong and even emotionally strong. I don’t cry or feel sad anymore, because I am taking care of what made me feel unhappy inside. I learnt that if you do what you have to do, it makes life much easier. Life is all about making the right choice. I had a problem with complaining about what I have and what I don’t have. I learnt to appreciate what I have, because there are other children who have much less. I was always complaining about the food that my Mom makes, but just to add some salt or something can make it taste better.
I am grateful for all that the program has given to me. The things that I learnt have helped me a lot. It changed my life completely.

Good morning I would like to share my story as I was also part of the reading rebels dated back to 2013.




Morne Metala

Morne
As a child I grew up with less to no confidence. I lacked self worth, and hurts those around me. In 2012, when I was in Grade 11, I was introduced to the reading rebels at my previous school. At first, I read the books only to get the money I was promised. The money for me was needed, as I grew up in a home where poverty shaped the mood of our household, and the R200 was needed by my mom and me. Later on, the books motivated to dream more, to expect more from life and to be the argitect of my success. In 2013, as I was in Matric, I had dreams. I wanted to study LLB, however I was not accepted for the course. I Then took an alternative course in education. TODAY I am in my final years of study, and for that I am extremely greatful to Reading Rebels. If it was not for the books, then I would accepted my average life of poverty. The books thought me to make sound decisions, and to always chase my dreams. ❤️❤️

MY LIFE BEFORE I MET THE READING REBELS- LYLE
How my life has changed.
Today, Tomorrow, Together! Live life to the fullest.
I was in Grade10 and my life was miserable. At school I did not attend class. My friends and I bunking classes and smoked w**d at school.
My life at home was also very hectic. My Father was an alcoholic. When he came home on a Saturday evening, the whole house was not the same. He hit me once with a stone and I must accept it. I did always respect my Parents because I knew they will always be part of me.
The reason why I was like a gangster at school was because my life at home was miserable and my parents did not respect me. That’s why I reacted in such a manner.
In the middle of Grade 10 I was sitting in class when the vice-principal came in and asked the teacher who the very rude children are. The teacher stood straight up and walked over to me. That was the first day I became involved with Reading Rebels.
The first month at RR they gave me a book called “The Lamp”. I heard that you get R200 if you know the book, so I started reading! For the first 3 months it was just for the money, but by the 4th month I realised that I must change for things to change.
The books inspired me so much at school that even my Teachers started noticing that I wasn’t bunking anymore. I told them it’s because of Reading Rebels. They asked me what I meant by that. I told them that the more I read the more I learn.
Even at home I was calm. The noisy me does not exist anymore. Now I know who I am, because RR made me realize that a person has only one life, and one must look after one’s self.
I want to thank you for the opportunity you gave us to empower ourselves. If you did not come into our lives I hate to think what would have happened to me and my life.

MY LIFE BEFORE I MET THE READING REBELS- LUKE

CHANGE MY LIFE:

Respect!
Kept me from the streets!
New Lessons in Life!
Doing Homework!
Encourage!
Never give up!

My whole life changed when I met The Reading Rebels.

First I want to thank Leone and her husband and the other members of The Reading Rebels. You changed my life.

I was a boy who never listened when the teacher talked to me. I was rude. I did not have respect for my fellow learners in the classrooms, but from the day I joined The Reading Rebels my whole life change, because I learned new things in life, like Respect. When I read the book “Screw It, Let’s do It” it encouraged me so much. That is one of the books I will never forget. The reason why they call that man Dr: “Yes” because he never gave up. That was the lesson I learned from him.

The Seagull was the book that taught me to never give up and be responsible for the things in life. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull never gave up on the practice until he got it right. I take that lesson and use it in my life today and it works for me.

I never did homework , I was always in the street , I didn't gave my co -operation in class or did any schoolwork. I was always full of myself but when I joined The Reading Rebels it changed me. I do my homework; I do my homework every day and give my co - operation in class.

Your books encouraged me so much, and it empowered me every day. When I am at home I am always busy reading or sleeping, my eyes opened when I joined The Reading Rebels and I thank you so much for everything that you did for me. I didn’t think I would change, but god knows better,
He did send you people to make a change in young people’s lives.

There were so many days in my life that I cannot carry there burden but the Lord said: “He knows me and he dents you to help me with my problems. It doesn't always seem that The Reading
Rebels changed my life, but it did.

I was irresponsible, always busy with my own stuff like: late nights on the streets doing stupid things, but my life changed. I can see what wrong decision the youth are making today. Young girls and boys don’t see that teenage pregnancies is one of the dangerous things, but my eyes opened when I read your books and it makes me feel good.

Every time when I get a new book I get a new lesson and a new vision about my life. I don’t have much to say today on how The Reading Rebels changed my life but what I can say is WELL DONE!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER READING REBELS – CLIFF
At the age of 13 years old, my life was on the right place. After 3 months then my Father began feeling ill. He did not go to work for a week and I began to worry. He became even worse. My Mom stayed out of work so that she could take him to the Clinic to find out what was wrong with him. My Father was just lying on the bed and he did not eat for 3 days. The Doctor told my Mom that my Dad was very sick. On 6 February at 10:10 we rushed to Hospital, as we were asked to come in. It was very traumatic for my whole family, but it hit me the hardest. I did not know where to turn.
There were a lot of money problems, but my family stood together. We also had outside help. After my Father’s death, my Mom began to drink. She also was starting dating her boyfriend. This led to her often sleeping away from home. My Sister and I stayed alone in our home. We had to look for food in the afternoon. I used to see my Mom twice a week, if at all. I did not like her new boyfriend. I needed help from my family, but nobody helped. They treated me as if I was selfish for wanting my Mom to myself. Shortly thereafter, my Sister fell pregnant, but she did not want to tell my Mom who the Father was. My Mom moved back home to help my Sister with her baby, but I did not feel the love from my Mom that I felt I deserved. I felt alone. A year later, my Mom also passed away. I was forced to make my own decisions in life and my Sister moved on with hers. She started dating a new boyfriend, but we did not get along because he was a gangster. He was part of the “28” gang and was locked up before. He moved into our house and they slept in one bed. Every day after school, I was greeted with a locked door. We did not like each other, as he started to take my things. We fought, but my Sister always took his part. My life was horrible. I began to smoke ci******es and dagga every day. I felt helpless. I also started to drink every weekend and by the age of 17, I got a girl pregnant. She was also at school and I had to take responsibility for her and my baby.
In Grade 11 I started to speak to my teachers and confide in them as to my challenges at home. They told me about this program called Reading Rebels. I was a bit unsure in the beginning. My first book taught me not to be scared of things, but to just do it. After that, my life started changing direction. Every new book helped me find direction. Applying the words that I have read was the key.
It helps me to not just sit every afternoon and do the same things over and over again. It helped me to open my mind. It made me understand a lot of things in life. It teaches me to take responsibility for my actions. I feel happy to share my problems and feelings with the Reading Rebels. The books helped me a lot. There were certain things I read that let me change and look at other ways of how to approach life and its challenges. The books inspire me to make goals in my life, live my dreams and to hope.