Read Around the World: The Drive to Promote Literacy

A most unique way to ‘hear’ or ‘see’ a thing is to read about it. Pictures and videos while attractive remove the uniqueness of what is heard or seen. No two or more individuals are going to read a story and take away identical interpretations of what has been read.

While movies and pictures provide for clarity on the intent of the producer, there is the diminishment of an individual’s opportunity to unleash his or her imagination on the unfolding of the story. Without video or pictures one is left with the pleasure of determining how the subjects of a story look, behave or feel.

It was preservation of the imagination of the children of Old Harbour, that spurred the Young Children Priority One (YCPO) committee of the Kiwanis Club of Old Harbour, to the holding of the “Old Harbour Read Around the World” project on March 31, 2012 at the hall of the Church of Holy Trinity, the club’s regular meeting place.

The project involved the hosting of children from some of the early childhood and primary schools, within the community, at which the Kiwanis Club of Old Harbour had previously held projects. The theme involved storytelling in a setting reminiscent of ‘good old country story time’ with the storytellers sitting in an old rocking chair surrounded by children seated on the floor.

The presenters were selected from the community and the topics were chosen to be of interest to the children, parents and teachers that were present. The presentations had three focal points: 

1. Raise awareness about reading and its importance to a child’s development.
2. Entertain the children with exciting storytelling
3. Cultural exchange: sharing the perceptions on reading held by other cultures

Through the support of the manufacturing and retail businesses, the Jamaica Library Services and a local bookstore along with the presenters, parents and children the project was successfully held. 

The club takes this opportunity to publicly recognize the immeasurable support of the businesses, within the community, for the holding of the event of the “Old Harbour Read Around the World”.

"We expect to make it an annual event."

Written by YCPO Chair, Kerene Gordon-Graham 

View more photos from the project here

CONNECT WITH US:  Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram