International Literacy Day kicks off the activities and the academic year for schools participating in the Read Across Jamaica Literacy Project.
Helping to increase awareness of literacy globally is a major objective of our organization. Members of the Board and volunteers are encouraged to attend events that promote literacy and spread the word in their communities about the efforts of Read Across Jamaica Foundation. Book donations are encouraged throughout the month of September and several collection drop off locations have been established.
The Read Across Jamaica Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) exempt public charity.
Your contributions are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code.
Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8 and focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs.
More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education. On ILD, individuals, organizations, and countries throughout the world renew efforts to promote literacy and demonstrate their commitment to providing education for all.
- International Reading Association International Literacy Day Event
- Debut of the Reading Across Continents project
- September 8, 2008; 10:00 a.m.; Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
- 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC (Gallery Place Chinatown Metro)
- Space is limited: RSVP to irawash@reading.org
- Press check-in required at September 8th event.
Reading Across Continents (RAC) Project Description
Through shared reading of novels, RAC unites Washington, D.C.’s School Without Walls High School (SWW) students with their counterparts in secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. Via live feeds, author visits, student/teacher exchanges, blogs, email ― and the study of history, geography, and economy of the countries involved ― participants will reflect on their lives, insights and beliefs. Teens and teachers will make a three-week citizen exchange to interact with their overseas counterparts.
Documentary
The Oracle Group will interview and film students in D.C., Abuja, and Accra for a documentary on the whole process. Students will share how this literacy activity has affected their cultural understandings — and how it has affected their attitudes toward reading and literature.
