Tshiamiso Astronauts Fostering and Promoting Literacy in Evaton West Community

Lack of educational resources and infrastructure has negatively impacted growth and learning within our communities, resulting in children resorting to alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and crime. Where hope is lost and the future seems disaster-prone, angels in human form become savior’s and shine light to better our communities.

Tshiamiso Astronauts is not different from superheroes we see in our favorite movies on our screens daily, a Non-Profit based Organization situated in EXT 7 Evaton West, formerly started in 2017 as Urban Astronauts by founding members Kgomotso Dibetso and Padi Dibetso after they identified a need for information hub within the community. From ashes to reality Urban started as a bi-weekly gatherings at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville Soweto later turning into a blog and book donation campaign.

On the 18th July 2024 Mandela day, the organization was sponsored and unveiled new shelves installed by the Evaton Mall for their Tshiamiso Evaton West Library, according to Senior Graphic Designer and Social Media coordinator Fikile Zulu before the installation of the new shelves “we have kept our donated books in boxes”, she further said that the library which is open to general public, is one of many services Tshiamiso Astronauts offer including Book Club Sessions, Kids Reading Club, University and College Application Assistance, Homework Assistance, Skills Development, Career Advising and Book Festivals.

In 2022 April Thembani Dube, Tsholofelo Kado and Kgomotso Dibetso formally registered and changed the organization name from Urban to Tshiamiso Astronauts, Fikile explained that through the NGO’s vision and mission in promoting reading and literacy rates in their community, Astronauts aim to create a literate and educated community “where individuals are empowered to reach their full potential through the transformative power of reading and access to knowledge” and to see “organization grow where we become the number one literacy hub in Evaton West and surrounding area”.

Tshiamiso consist of young passionate and talented people, and elders who want to be the change, they want to see in the world and attract lion’s share of “young people involved in promoting literacy and knowledge”. Astronauts’ library caters for individuals of all ages who cares and enjoys reading, eager to acquire more knowledge through engaging with books.

Through the leadership of a brilliant young mind Tshiamiso CEO Kgomotso Dibetso, the organization has so far been able to get sponsorship from Path Care, Evaton Mall and different people in the community, this is to make it possible for Astronauts to operate and serve its purpose in making learning resources accessible to all and “equipping community members with tools to enrich their lives and nurture an enduring affection for reading “ personal growth and self-esteem according to Fikile Zulu.

Although it’s still a long walk to freedom for Tshiamiso, it was never an easy road for the organization to be where it is at the moment, one of the biggest challenge they faced and still battling with is getting a bigger land or space that they can call home, like any other non-profit organization’s Astronauts still struggles with getting funding and sponsorship to help achieve their mission through procuring more material and equipment’s to serve the community without limited resources.

Tshiamiso Evaton West library operates Mondays to Saturdays from 09:30 am until 17:00 pm, for any public queries, the community can reach Tshiamiso Astronauts on their official social media platforms.

Website: https://www.tshiamisoastronauts.org
Facebook: Tshiamiso Astronauts
Instagram: tshiamisoastronauts
X: TshiamisoAstro
Email: info@tshiamisoastronauts.org
Call or WhatsApp: 0810211561
Visit Tshiamiso at: 13416 Sbuda Street, Evaton West, Extension 7, Mkhelele ward 26.Se