the abc of LITERACY & BASIC education
story by: CREZ DICKENs
This month we focus on the Basic Education and Literary Rotary Action Group, better known by its acronym BELRAG, which was formed in 2011.
BELRAG is a network of Rotarians from across the world with a special interest in acting upon the mission and goals of Rotary International related to alleviating illiteracy, enhancing literacy teaching and learning globally, and providing materials and equipment for literacy education at different levels.
Like other Rotary Action Groups, BELRAG is an autonomous association of like-minded Rotarians, partners of Rotarians and Rotaractors, working in partnerships with clubs and district on basic education and literacy projects.
Their mission and goals are:
- Increasing general awareness of the severity of illiteracy throughout the world; and its effect on the quality of the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations from generation to generation.
- Increasing awareness among Rotarians, Rotary clubs, and Rotary districts of ways they can implement basic education and literacy projects that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide education and literacy to all.
- Assisting Rotarians, Rotary clubs, and Rotary districts to increase the scale and effectiveness of their participation in the alleviation of illiteracy and its consequences - supporting the pursuit of the Object of Rotary by providing programs for both children and adults and reducing gender disparity in education.
- Actively collaborate with Rotarians to establish partnerships for projects involving other areas of focus.
Brenda Parsons, who is the Lead UK Chair for the Rotary Action Group on Basic Education and Literacy, is calling out for Rotarians everywhere to shout out about their projects in this area.
“BELRAG is an association of like-minded Rotarians, partners of Rotarians and Rotaractors, working in partnerships on basic education and literacy projects.”
Speaking from her home in Bromley where she is a member of Orpington District eclub, Brenda talked about the work the action group do in supporting clubs to effectively plan, finance, implement, monitor and evaluate basic education and literacy programmes.
She announced that in September two projects per day would be displayed on the BELRAG.org website throughout the month to celebrate the amazing work done in communities about this important issue.
Brenda said: “Everybody has a right to basic education and literacy and we want to shout this work from the roof tops.
“We want to raise awareness about BEL initiatives and inspire others to support or replicate these projects for both children and adults
“So we invite 30-minute videos to be uploaded onto our website and two a day at 9am and 9pm will be shown. You do not have to be a member of Belrag to do this, but we ask people to join for the sum of $25 per year.”
BELRAG is focussed on alleviating illiteracy, enhancing literacy teaching and learning globally, and providing materials and equipment for literacy education at different levels.
Brenda reiterated that while the group is not controlled by Rotary International they do operate in accordance with Rotary principles.
Districts are also being asked to put forward names of Rotarians who would like to be Ambassadors for basic education and literacy. Anyone interested can go onto the BELRAG website and enter their names.
Brenda spoke about how Rotarians should do a needs assessment in the areas in which their clubs work, to identify needs within the area, rather than simply doing a one-off project.
She said: “We should ask our community groups, organisations, local authorities and schools what they want and then create a project that is long term and sustainable. Then monitor it to ensure it is effective.
“Many clubs have worked with people from Ukraine and amazing projects have been created from this. For example, reading or conversation buddies.
“We can engage with our communities and find out who really needs help. Projects encompassing play or sports are an excellent way of helping people to assimilate language, reading and writing.”
BELRAG’s global Chair, Nancy Leonhardt, speaking from her base in America, said that BELRAG members can also enter an annual $500 award competition with their projects. She described how two Rotary clubs and one Rotaract club could win the prestigious award.
Nancy said that every child and adult has a right to basic education and literacy in a world which demonstrates respect for diversity, equity and inclusion. Rotarians can show the way.
For more information, visit: belrag.org
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