If everyone literate donates 1 hour per week to teach someone they know, maybe in their own families or among friends, or maybe people they do not yet know, how to read and write, budget, use IT…etc., imagine the difference this would make to our country. Everything is going online…all official forms will be going online…yet we have a timebomb in the making as many people do not know how to use online facilitites. Those who are literate all assume that everyone is literate…but imagine if you could not read this email…imagine the impact that would have on your whole life? There is no shame and there is no blame…it is the way it is for some people. But it doesn’t have to stay that way…by taking action illiteracy can be reversed…and we can all particpate because it doesn’t have to cost a cent. Just a generous donation of time and committment
If those who are literate teach whatever is relevant to the person needing help we can all make a difference. We also need to encourage people to come forward for help as literacy is a silent problem in our communities…many people feel deeply ashamed by their inadequacy in this area. What is the predictable future if literacy levels remain this low. Unemployment, despair, poverty, frustration, crime…but if each of us makes a contribution of time and effort to help eradicate illiteracy then the future will be so much brighter.
We have have organised a Fun Hat Run for Literacy Awareness on Aug 21st from Wicklow Sailing Club in order to raise awareness but also to raise funds to assist or set up reading and literacy clubs in the county.
This entire project has been put together in about six weeks by people who want to make a difference in their community. If successful we hope to roll this out across the country to empower communities to address this silent but deadly problem in our society. We have to help ourselves and each other…as austerity bites there will be less and less help from the Government…but literacy is something we can do for ourselves. It is possible to reverse illiteracy levels so lets join together to make it happen.