By Sindisiwe Tshona
Sitting in her office surrounded by children’s books, posters, and educational resources, Jolene Tarr is stunned by having to talk about success, and she pauses mid-sentence to consider how she measures success. “I really can’t say we’ve been successful because we’ve seen so many children”, she reflects.
Her voice carries the weight of someone who understands that true change unfolds across generations, not grant cycles.
As director of the Lebone Centre, Tarr orchestrates a quiet revolution in early childhood literacy – one story at a time. Her journey from occupational therapist in Bloemfontein to community champion in Grahamstown wasn’t planned, but it feels inevitable. After years overseas, marriage to a Makhanda she met in London, and having spent two decades in Makhanda, she says she’s found her calling. Her face lights up when she talks about these precious little souls.
“What I love about community work is that you’re reaching so many more people,” Tarr explains. She describes children as “little sponges” ready to learn. But she acknowledges mothers, women “who shine as beacons” while facing poverty, violence, and social challenges that would break many.
Tarr’s inspiration is rooted in witnessing parents discover the magic of reading with their children, “How excited they get when children remember stories from one day to another,” she says, her voice softening with genuine admiration.
Tarr acknowledges that change is not sudden; however, she dreams of a community where 100% of grade fours can read for meaning, where bedtime stories are not a luxury but a routine. She is ambitious and determined that all this is possible.
Just like the late Nelson Mandela, she hopes to be remembered as someone who was always kind and respectful, regardless of with whom she was interacting.
