Literacy in District 1010

Hilary GordonDistrict Literacy Coordinator

Today I will talk about:

3 levels of literacyLiteracy links to the 4 avenues of service District / Zone Literacy AwardIntroduce First Steps Himalaya as a District Literacy project

RI recognises 3 levels of literacy:

BASIC – the ability to read and write and compute

FUNCTIONAL – the knowledge and skills needed in these areas as an adult to be a successful worker, citizen, parent and human being.

CHARACTER – the knowledge and skills needed in an adult to behave ethically in all aspects of life. (eg Charity work / citizenship / environment / fund raising)

Information from: 2009-2010 Literacy Resource Group

Clubs are encouraged to undertake projects in each of Rotary’s 4 avenues of service:Club ServiceVocational ServiceInternational ServiceCommunity Service

as well as linking to health, hunger and water.

District /Zone Literacy Award

Claim a District Award by completing 5 literacy projects. Or a Zone award for 10 projects

(all different types of project) and should include

celebrating Literacy MonthBy 15th April

This will be an annual award.

Literacy Awards claimed by clubs this year in District 1010:

19 District ( 5 projects)9 Zone (10 projects)

28 total

Aiming for more next year!

Suggested Activities for Literacy awards

Club ServicePromote literacy day (8th Sept) and/or literacy month (March) Invite a literacy speaker to a club meetingDevote a club meeting to literacy awarenessThanks for Life Exhibition- showing how we help poorer counties (Character literacy)

Vocational Service

Work in a school offering support to write CVs, careers guidance, or mock interviews. Candidates provide CV/Interview for RYLA Work in school (eg Rotakids) and link with a literacy project or the value of rich counties helping poorer countriesExplore the 4 way test at club meetingsA talk/participate in Better World Books

International Service•Participate in an international book shipping project eg Books Abroad, Dictionaries4life •Participate in a literacy and education-focused international project that is connected to hunger, health and water concerns.•Make a donation to School4all•Make a donation to First Steps Himalaya via their website, www.firststepshimalaya.org or through the Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum •Make a donation to The literacy in a box trust, www.literacyboxtrust.org.uk

Community ServiceSupport a computer assisted literacy solution in schoolsDo a preschool book project eg books for babiesLink with schools to offer support for literacy eg provide Dictionaries4life, listening centres, etcHelp fund raise for schools to provide reading books/ library books etc Engage in a school partnership such as offering reading mentors, or other needs identified by the school.Operate Rotating Books in the Community – link with the local school or libraryRun PSQ Imagination Library

FIRST STEPS HIMALAYAGIVING CHILDREN A CHILDHOOD

CHARITABLE TRUST Established October 2008 Founded by Durga Aran & Fionna

HeitonAims to give children a childhood in rural

NepalSet up first early childhood project in

2009

Sangachok Project, NepalLocated 3 hours north of KathmanduPopulation: 6,000Research showed poor parental practices, poor

nutrition and lack of services for children under 5 years & their mothers

Commenced services in July 2009Purpose built centre open from 25th October 2009Community Early Childhood Development Project,

(ECD)

Very rural community – women and children undertaking manual work

Government School900,000 primary aged pupils do not attend school in Nepal: Rote learning is used.Very poor facilities and very little equipment.

Private EducationSimilar teaching methods are used - not available to poor communities.Also poor facilities and equipment.

Existing childcare

Children are either locked up during the day, or they are taken to be beside their mother while she works in the fields/collecting water etc. There is no play.

Home Situation

Homes are very poor. There are no toys, or encouragement to play.

Existing Health Facilities

Very basic health facilities. Lack of support for pregnant and nursing mothers. No guidance on infant care and weaning. Parents are unaware of their role in their child’s development.

Community Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes began in July 2009 in temporary accommodation

The children as they were in July 2009

By October

Children learning to play and interact while having fun.Parents learning about the value of education.Locals being trained.

By October

Children being given a childhood

Opening of the ECD Centre on 25th October 2009

Sponsored Fruit each week

Locals are trained to run the ECD Centre.Parents will be taught to understand the role of education to support their child throughout their schooling.

Aiming for Positive behavioural changes•Increased parental involvement•Awareness of hygiene and nutrition •already there is evidence of change

The Powers of technology

Eco tourismComfortable accommodation with a village family – for visitors to see the project.

The latest teaching aids can be used to support parents and children

The services from the centre include:

•Play based pre-school classes for children aged 3-5•Mother & baby classes offering parent education on child development, nutrition and safety•Play groups for 1-3 year olds•Growth monitoring – weight and height checks•Promotion of vaccinations•Ante-natal classes, ante-natal exercises, nutrition, birth preparedness and complication readiness•Home based play groups for outlying households•Library services•Training of female community health volunteers•Advocacy campaigns on child marriage, child trafficking, child labour & environmental issues

 

Plans for the future:

Working with the Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum and the Rotary Club of Kopundol (matching grant) Other clubs in 1010 to become involved A 2nd Project site to be identified in April 2010 to commence in October 2010, to deliver a similar range of early childhood, health awareness and parental education services to the Sangachok projectRotary to fit out and provide the initial running costs of this new centreThe cost will be £7,500 to £8,000

What should I do now?1.Apply for a District/Zone Literacy award by 15th April Annually (5 or 10 projects)2.Each club should appoint a literacy specialist.3.Join the Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum and our District to support First Steps Himalaya www.firststepshimalaya.org4.Invite me to come to your club as a speaker, or email me for advice. mail@hilary.org.uk

Thank you

Any Questions?