Edna Freinkel, 86, is changing lives with her literacy trust

Edna Freinkel, 86, is changing lives with her literacy trust

Edna Freinkel started the Readucate Trust to address the need for education and literacy among underprivileged citizens in South Africa. Even in her mid-80s, Edna still believes there is a lot of work to be done in education.

edna freinkel
Germiston City News

Growing up with a mother who was a dedicated teacher encouraged Edna Freinkel to cultivate her passion for teaching and literacy. With her non-governmental education and literacy organisation, Readucate Trust, Edna is making a difference in the lives of children and prisoners all over South Africa by empowering them with reading skills. 

Among the many awards Edna has received for her wonderful work is the Order of the Baobab (Bronze) in 2004 and the 2010 UNISA Outstanding Educator award.

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Recently, Edna received the Continental Lifetime Achiever Award during CEO Global's Africa's Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards. 

This Continental Lifetime Achiever Award cements the value of Edna's work in the lives of South Africans. Her tailored methods help those with dyslexia and other learning impairments. Training inmates to become teachers themselves further extends the reach of her work.

Edna may be a resident at a retirement village, but this has not stopped her from working with Readucate Trust. With the help of her daughter Corinne Ossendryver, Edna updates their trademark "Teach any child or adult to Read" series. 

Edna is truly an exemplary South African citizen!

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