Love Through Literacy

Happy New Month Rotarians!

September is here with us and schools are back in session. We take this time during the Rotary year to focus on one of our seven avenues of service – Basic Education and Literacy. In so many respects this avenue of focus is the foundation for all others. In the words of Nelson Mandela:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background, or his religion. “ People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.

As People of Action, Rotarians are no strangers to changing the world. It has been a privilege this year to see firsthand our Rotary Clubs using literacy and education to make lasting change across the district. From participating in setting up school and community Libraries, distribution of books, Adult learning programs, education scholarships, peace Scholars, our Vocational Training programs…. The list goes on and on …the impact we have is insurmountable.

This month we are able to shine a spotlight on Basic Education as part of the second Rotary Goal this year, which is to DO MORE by implementing bigger and better community service projects in our communities. One of our District projects goals this Rotary year is to distribute one million books through our clubs to ensure that we continue to Serve to Change Lives by growing literacy levels in our region. Your club can get involved by reaching out to schools or community libraries in need, gathering resources, and drawing on the strength of partnerships to increase impact.

I am impressed by the hard work and commitment exhibited by Rotarians all over the District in your efforts to support Education through ongoing community service projects in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. We can still DO MORE. In addition to the book campaign, let us continue to sponsor the education of needy children in schools, provide materials required for learning like desks, chairs, computers, and laboratories as well collaborate with organizations that support adult literacy. Let us connect to worthwhile partnerships through our members’ networks; organize book drops from your child’s school, get your organization to donate in-kind or reach out to your local community for logistical support.

As Change Makers, we are also involved in providing secondary support systems that are necessary for efficient learning in schools by embracing other Rotary focus areas in the education space. One of these ways is through WASH projects that prevent students from missing school learning because of preventable disease or lack of sanitation facilities. The provision of basic facilities like setting up ablution blocks, hand wash stations, and providing menstrual hygiene solutions produce a conducive environment that leads to improved performance of students.

As RI President Shekhar Mehta noted last week, “Empowering people through education is among the boldest goals we have as Rotarians… if all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, it would result in a significant cut in global poverty rates.”

I am excited to announce that our District will be privileged to host Rotary International 2021/22 President Shekar Mehta this month; first in Addis Ababa on the 7 September and then in Kenya on 9th September. You are all invited to a virtual Mega Fellowship of all clubs in the District where RI President Mehta will be the Guest of honour on 9^th September 2021 from 6:00-8:30 pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity to interact with the Rotary Leadership for the growth of your club so ensure that you attend.

Let us make use of the resources available to us and enhance partnerships this month and throughout this 2021/22 Rotary year to increase our impact. For more information on our Basic Education and Literacy projects, please contact:

District Programs Chair: PP Dr. Janet Macharia -programs@rotary9212.com

Schools Literacy Programme Dr. Isabella Kamere: imkamere@yahoo.com

Back to Schools Initiative: Margaret Lesuuda: lesuuda@yahoo.com

Education & Literacy Ethiopia Chair: Zerihun Tekle : tecle.zerihoun@gmail.com