By PP Thomas Chan, RC of Kingspark HK
Basic education and literacy is one of The Rotary Foundation’s seven areas of focus. It is essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.
The Rotary Foundation considers activities targeting the following to be within the scope of the basic education and literacy area of focus:
- Access to quality basic primary and secondary education;
- Educating adults in literacy;
- Providing training in teaching literacy, curriculum development, and school administration;
- Strengthening educational experience through improved materials and facilities;
- Community management of education systems;
- Vocational training teams supporting the above activities;
- School desk purchases, when accompanied by a detailed and verifiable plan to improve basic education and literacy;
- Scholarships for graduate-level study in programs related to basic education and literacy.
According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2021/2022:
- If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths.
- A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.
- If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty.
In view of the above, more than 15 Clubs of District 3450 have been involved in Global Grant projects under this Area of Focus since 2014. Among them, 8 of them have played the role of Host Partners. To showcase their excellent work, the following pages summarize the Global Grant projects with District 3450 Clubs as Host Partners.
With so many initiatives related to “Basic Education & Literacy”, it’s time for your Club to apply for the Global Grant to support your own project to do good in the world.