In a sunlit room at Masiphumelele Library, near Fish Hoek, a group of women from the nonprofit Uphakanyiso recently gathered to reflect on how the Mikhulu Trust book-sharing programme has transformed not only their approach to parenting but also their entire home dynamics. What emerged was more than a discussion about children’s wordless picture books; it was a collective story of healing, growth, and bonding.

For many of the mothers, book-sharing became the key to unlocking a gentler, more emotionally aware version of themselves. Pamela, a mother of three, shared how she used to shout and discipline in anger until she discovered book-sharing, which taught her a different way of connecting. “Before doing book-sharing, I was a really angry person when it came to my child and would shout at her violently,” she admitted. “But they taught me how to communicate better with my daughter while looking at the books. Now we have peace between us.”

Another mother, once overwhelmed by the stresses of single parenthood, confessed that she took her resentment towards her ex-partner out on her young daughter. “I used to smack her and shout. I wasn’t acting right towards her, even though she had nothing to do with the issues that I was dealing with. But it wasn’t about her. My anger was about what I was feeling towards my ex and how he left us,” she said. “Book-sharing helped me see that. Now, my daughter and I sleep in the same bed, and we cuddle. Now, there’s love.”

The act of sitting calmly with a child and exploring a wordless picture book together has had a surprising ripple effect: it has changed how many of these mothers discipline their children. Before book-sharing, anger and punishment were often the default. Now, their approach is different, rooted in understanding, patience, and dialogue.

“I used to yell all the time,” said one mother. “But I learned from book-sharing how to communicate better, and now, I take time to explain what I mean. Even when my child makes a mistake, I don’t hit him anymore. I speak instead. My other children have responded positively as well – they feel safer around me now.”

For Nolo, a mom of two little boys, it was about learning that children need space to be children. “There’s a time to play and a time to do book-sharing, as they taught us. Knowing that helped me a lot,” she said. “I learned not to force book-sharing time. Now my son enjoys the books and also knows his colours.”

One of the most powerful themes from the conversation was reconciliation – not just between parent and child, but within the parents themselves. “Book-sharing helped me forgive my young son,” said one mother. “I was always angry at him and shouting at him because of how his father upset me. Book-sharing has helped me a lot to resolve the pain that had created a wedge between me and my son. Now, I tell him ‘I love you’, which is something I never did before.”

Another mother spoke of how the connection she built with her youngest daughter through book-sharing extended through to her entire family. “I used to yell and shout all the time. But now, the house is peaceful. We all communicate better. Before doing the book-sharing training, all my children were afraid of me. Now, they come sit with me, and even bring their friends. It’s beautiful.”

What began as a literacy activity turned into something far more personal and powerful. The mothers explained that book-sharing has taught them how to regulate their own emotions before engaging with their children. “If you are very angry,” one mother noted, “you traumatise the child. But now, I calm myself before I speak. I am aware of my tone, my face, my words.”

The change is visible not only in their children’s behaviour but also in their relationships. “Even with my husband,” one woman added, “I’ve learned to speak up calmly, without yelling.”

Many of the women are now sharing book-sharing techniques with neighbours and other family members. “What I learned is contagious,” one mother smiled. “It touches every part of your life, not just during book-sharing time. Even when life is hard, now there’s more love, more patience and more joy.”

And the children? They’re thriving – talking more, asking questions, creating stories, and eagerly pulling their parents into moments of shared imagination. In a community where harsh discipline was once accepted as normal, these women at Uphakanyiso are quietly rewriting the script.

Uphakanyiso is a registered non-profit company based in Masiphumelele near Fish Hoek, Cape Town, that is run and managed by its founder, Athenkosi (Prince) Ntshentshe. The organisation is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to the books they need to succeed. Their main projects include after-school homework assistance, reading and writing, comprehension and spelling while supporting all learning areas of children from Grade R – 7.

Through reading sessions and an innovative approach to early childhood education, Prince and his team are making a huge impact. Prince stewarded it alone, and now Uphakanyiso has 11 employees. Beyond their reading sessions, Uphakanyiso also organises lectures and community meetings, allowing parents, educators, and anyone passionate about literacy to engage, learn, and support their mission. To get in touch with Prince, contact him on 063 803 1848, or email uphakanyisocenter@gmail.com.