On Friday, September 8th, 2023, the Rotary Club of Antigua and the Rotaract Club of Antigua celebrated World Literacy Day by organizing various activities at four academic institutions.

The SeaView Farm Primary School, the Five Islands Primary School, the New Winthropes Primary School, and the Christian Union Academy all participated in the event.

The kindergarteners at these schools engaged in innovative and interactive sessions that showcased their reading, imaginative, and acting skills.

The Rotary Club of Antigua’s Director of Youth Services, Samoya Kirby, expressed her satisfaction with the level of interest shown by both the students and teachers of the participating schools.

According to Kirby, it is vital for reading and writing skills to be developed at an early age, as literacy encompasses both these skills.

For example, at the Five Islands Primary School, they read “The Cat in the Hat” and the students were excited and engaged. Kirby was impressed with their ability to relate to the book’s life settings.

Kirby further expressed her pleasure at the progress of the Earlyactors Club at the Five Islands Primary School.

This club was established as the first of its kind in May of this year, and the executive was presented with school supplies as a token of appreciation and motivation for their exemplary work to date.

The Director also revealed that there are plans in place for several activities, including a School Garden project, scheduled to take place throughout the year.

Globally, Rotarians and Rotaractors have initiated projects to provide access to quality education, with the objective of improving the lives of students.

These projects, in turn, enhance the growth and stability of families and communities.

Rotary designates September as Basic Education and Literacy Month, an opportunity for Rotarians and Rotaractors to raise awareness of the need for literacy and to take action by identifying needs where Rotary’s support can contribute or creating meaningful partnerships with local education activities.

They also create a Basic Education and Literacy team with Rotarians, Rotaractors, and educators to coordinate and partner in developing literacy activities.