International Literacy Day

In 1966, UNESCO declared September 8th #internationalliteracyday to raise awareness and concern for the lack of literacy that plagues so many places and children in our local communities.

This is an issue that touches developed and developing nations alike. Around the globe, there is a 10% gap in literacy rates between males and females. 773 million adults and young people worldwide lack basic literacy skills. In the US, 1 in 5 students have learning difficulties. In Haiti, the national literacy rate is 61% — the lowest in the Western Hemisphere. Literacy and education concerns us all.

24 years ago, the late Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, stressed the need for political will and resources to meet this challenge. Today, we reiterate his call as we focus on this year’s theme of “Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the Digital Divide.” This highlights not just reading skills, but the lack of access to technology that continues to widen the divides of poverty. In an increasingly technological world, literacy and digital skills are equally vital. COVID-19 has brought this issue to the forefront this past year as schools closed, leaving many students without educational instruction. Our community school in Haiti for one, lost many students to the pandemic as they retreated to safety in less dense and rural areas.

This year, CPP is constructing a library for the school with three goals:

1. Increase literacy rates in both Creole and French

2. Increase access to school textbooks while reducing spending

3. Bring much needed technological knowledge to our students

As we prepare for the school year, stay connected and support our efforts to improve education in Haiti!

Click HERE to learn more about our library project!