September is Education Month for Rotary and Sharon McConnell, chair of Literacy Committee for the Rotary Club of Belleville was pleased to share current initiatives, two of which are local and one is international. The Committee is small and mighty -- Sharon as Chair, Ruth Mathieson and Amanda Smith. The Spelling Bee involves 34 schools, 8 Rotary Clubs and after more than a decade, continues to be a popular offering. Rescue Readers is a three way partnership with the Humane Society, the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Education and the Rotary Club of Belleville. This is a program where classes of elementary school children come to the Humane Society, learn about what is involved in having and maintaining a pet, develop empathy for other living creatures. The second half of the visit is spent reading to the animals. Studies show that reading aloud, particularly to a non-judgemental audience, improves fluency and confidence. Rescue Readers started as a pilot. Last year was the first full year of roll-out. It has gone very well with just under 1,000 students participating. All teachers were very pleased and want to bring their new class again this year. Both these programs support the work of teachers in their classrooms and enhance the educational experience of the students.
The Rotary Club supports The Amarok Society, an international program primarily in Bangladesh, now expanding into India. This is a part of the world where education is a privilege, not a right and where millions of people remain unable to read and millions of children lack access to basic education. Illiterate mothers are taught basic education skills in rented premises in slum neighbourhoods. In turn, each mother commits to teaching a minimum of 5 children in her own home. This program results in mothers being able to obtain better paying jobs and children's learning is accelerated enough to enter and succeed in the government run schools. It enables the mothers to use their education in very practical ways to help improve their quality of life. They have learned to work as a team and to advocate for things that are of benefit to the whole community.
The Rotary Club of Belleville has been working with the Amarok Society for almost 15 years. Support has come from the Club's annual literacy budget and working with other Rotary Clubs on a Global Grant in 2016 and more recently (2025) receiving a District Grant! As we celebrate Rotary's Education Month, the call to action from Rotary's new International President is to "strengthen the foundation of learning in every community we serve". Sharon thanked all Rotarians who work so hard to raise the funds that enable our Club to make this possible.