Literacy and Rotary

The promotion of literacy is a key objective of Rotary clubs worldwide.

Rotarians are often described as leaders in their fields and leaders are without exception literate and possess better than average communication skills.

How could Rotary put Service above Self without a foundation of literacy skills? If Rotarians are to serve the community, especially its disadvantaged members, literacy is the initial hurdle to overcome.

It is proven that early childhood intervention is the best time to address literacy issues. Children’s minds are being formed and are malleable, whereas adult illiteracy poses other hurdles which are by no means insurmountable but are by then intermingled with other issues.

Our own memories of reading as children should remind us that we had sponge like minds hungry to absorb stories and information.

It has been said that, “a child’s mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled”, and Rotarians the world over are spending their time contributing to keeping the fire of literacy alive.