Rotary’s Area of Focus: Basic Education and Literacy
Living in the greatest country in the world in an age of ever-advancing technology, the accessibility we have to information is easy to take for granted, and I am just as guilty as any. Our questions can be answered in a matter of seconds simply by entering a key word or asking “Siri” to find it for us. Rotary, however, brings us all down to earth by opening our eyes and hearts to the needs that exist in our own communities and worldwide.
I hope that you get a chance to read the 2010-2011 edition of the Annual Report of The Rotary Foundation. The highlights will astound you. From Polio updates to the updates on each of our areas of focus, each and every dollar is maximized to transform the lives of millions annually. If ever there was proof of the value Foundation giving brings, this is it. Please continue to share the stories of our great work and invite others to be a part of our movement for change.
Without a doubt, basic education is the key for a brighter future. Yet 75 million children worldwide, 41 million of them girls, have no access to education, and about 677 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. However, through Rotary’s volunteer efforts worldwide we have led low-cost, high impact literacy programs that fund teacher training, start student mentoring programs and build schools and libraries (to name a few). Literacy is the foundation of sustainable development everywhere in the world. By confronting these literacy challenges with passion and innovation, Rotary gives people the power to create social change.
We began this Rotary year with our Orange County Book Drive and collected the largest number of books in the history of this annual project. I am confident that going forward we will exceed even our own expectations. Rotarians show their commitment to the success of a project, especially when this project is collecting books for the children of our communities.
Val and I listened to each of the clubs in our district describe their efforts involving education and literacy in their communities. Hearing about your international projects for education and literacy was equally impressive. This is where real world change is taking place. One successful project opens the door for another, and quickly you realize that a water or literacy project allowed needs to be addressed across every one of our Six Areas of Focus. How amazing is that?
On February 13th, we heard from Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan and Senior Director of the International Programs and Technology Affairs Directorate, Colonel Tyrus Cobb, who gave us an inside look at what it was like to work directly with President Reagan. Those who were able to attend will surely agree that this was one of the high points of our Rotary year. As promised, Tyrus sent us more information which can be found here: http://nationalsecurityforum.net/. Soon there will be the option to subscribe to the website to receive out communications and announcements.
Val and I wish to thank all Rotarians and clubs that have contributed to the School Supplies for Afghanistan project. Our Marines are building schools in Afghanistan and each US $50.00 contribution purchases $500.00 worth of supplies for these schools. Even when the Taliban destroys a school, our Marines immediately rebuild it and your supplies are used. Under Taliban rule education almost totally ceased to exist and girls were completely deprived of an education. Now, the Afghan people are turning in the Taliban because they want an education for their people, all their people. By helping children and families to help themselves, we create stronger more stable societies for us all. Your efforts are building peace in places that it never seemed possible.
I hope that many of you plan to attend our International Convention in Bangkok, Thailand. This is an opportunity to connect with the Rotarians on the other end of your international grants, or meet Rotarians your club has an interest in partnering with. In the House of Friendship you will have the opportunity to meet people from every Avenue of Service, every Area of Focus and every partner organization. You definitely won’t want to miss our opening reception that Val and I, along with Bruce and Johrita Solari will be hosting to welcome you and kickoff the convention. There are now 1080 registered Rotarians from our Zone 25/26. Come join the fun!
One of the great joys of being a parent or grandparent is reading to our children and grandchildren. This is the first step to education for the future of all generations. As we continue to Reach Within to Embrace Humanity one book and act of kindness at a time, you can smile and know we’re making a difference.
With gratitude and admiration,
Greg and Valerie Owen
District Governor and First Lady
