| Monday, September 8, 2014 is International Literacy Day. It is celebrated annually to focus attention on literacy issues, because it is estimated that 780 million adults, nearly two-thirds of whom are women, do not know how to read and write, and 94 -115 million children worldwide do not have access to education.
What can you do to promote literacy in our own community and abroad? Here’s a list of ideas that can get you started:
- Tutor someone in your community that is learning how to read. Ask your local library to connect you to an adult literacy program or volunteer to be a reading tutor at a local school.
- Start a book club with an international theme or add an international flair to an established book club.
- Host a read-a-thon fundraiser to support school or community literacy efforts.
- Donate children’s books to a Books for Babies program or a charity that provides books to support literacy in developing countries.
- Give a book as a gift.
- Visit your local library. Offer to volunteer. Host a book exchange.
- Contact your local newspaper with a story about how literacy has impacted your life and some facts about literacy to raise awareness.
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