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Education Week and Read Across Jamaica

It’s that time of year again: Education Week and Read Across Jamaica.

We’re urgently reaching out to ask for your help in addressing two critical issues affecting our communities: crime and literacy.

We need your support.

The GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF), along with Marley Dias and our partners, including the Book Industry Association of Jamaica, JetBlue, the Rotary Club of Kingston East and Port Royal (KEPR), the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence, and the Reading and Reasoning movement, are working to ensure children can access books and develop a love for reading.

Saddening statistics reveal deficits in reading and writing skills among Jamaican children, worsened by limited access to learning environments. The increase in youth violence compounds these challenges, turning them into urgent public health crises.

Literacy is fundamental in fostering empathy and problem-solving skills. That’s why we’re establishing literacy hubs to help reduce crime and increase literacy.

Over the next 3 years, our goal is to invest in the literacy environments of three communities heavily affected by youth violence and low literacy rates with the hope of reducing crime and increasing literacy.

From May 5th to May 9th, we’re organizing literacy circles and book giveaways in these communities.

 

Year 1: 2024-2025

  • 250 books per library per community = 750 books
  • Free books for youth = 250 books
  • Library sign-up

 

Join us today! 1000 Books for Jamaica

3 ways to support:

 

Your involvement could make a significant difference in achieving our goals.

 

 

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