Today marks the beginning of a glorious week: a celebration of literacy and reading across the globe!
WorldRead, the collaborative grouping of Reader to Reader’s many student-run international projects,has set up a week full of interesting and engaging events about education issues across the globe.
Tonight, the group presents a screening of “The Lottery,” a brilliant documentary on the public and charter schools of New York City. If you are in the area, come to Stirn Auditorium at Amherst College by 7pm to watch with us!
Tomorrow, there will be an open mike coffee house presented by Beyond el Campo, which has built a public library in a rural coffee-farming village in Costa Rica, and provides opportunities for travel and service to that community for Amherst students. (8pm, Friedmann Room in the Keefe Campus Center, Amherst College)
Wednesday is World Read Aloud Day--make sure you read aloud with your kids, your students, or even to yourself in support of global literacy! We will watch a new documentary called “The Road to Resistance” to learn more about the tense situation in Myanmar, where a newly democratic government is taking root and education reform efforts are now possible. Participants can also have their picture taken for The Wall of Freedom, which shows support for peace efforts in Myanmar. After the documentary, two Amherst College students who are from Myanmar will be available for questions about their country and its education system. (Wall of Freedom at 7pm, Movie starting at 7:30pm in Pruyne Auditorium, located in Fayerweather Hall, Amherst College)
On Thursday, a unique opportunity presents itself in “An Island Divided,” a documentary on the similarities and differences between the two halves of the island of Hispaniola, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. WorldRead encompasses projects that support both countries, and the two groups will be available to discuss their work with the education systems. Hope of Haiti sponsors students to continue their education and supports a school that does not prevent those who cannot pay from coming to school. Esperanza is pioneering special education in the Dominican Republic, which does not have any support in place for students with learning disabilities or special needs. (7pm, Stirn Auditorium, Amherst
College)
Thursday also marks International Women’s Day, which is an important holiday for To Mother With Love, which is creating a school for the women of Ikenne, Nigeria to learn how to read. These women have sacrificed so much for their own children’s education, and they deserve a chance to be educated themselves. Letters of support from students will be collected at Amherst College and made into a wish-you-well poster for the walls of the new school, to help the women find the courage and determination to continue their learning, no matter their age!
To wrap everything up, there will be an Amherst College student-only party celebrating our favorite children’s books. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters, and will have a blast exploring our Phantom Tollbooth Photobooth, Very Hungry Caterpillar collage, Create-Your-Own Story (a la Harold & the Purple Crayon) and other great activities.
We are excited to begin the second year of this great event, and hope that you will be able to join us for some of the events!
