Page 8 - 2022年9月號

TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE

For those who cannot

read these words

One of my favorite books, A Short History of for basic education and literacy projects, according
Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, muses on the to preliminary figures. This is on top of decades of
creation of the universe and how a tiny speck of it work in our clubs and districts. As an Australian,
we call Earth went from being a fiery ball with seas I'm especially proud of the work of Dick Walker,
of molten rock to the lush green-and-blue home a past district governor from Queensland, who
we know today. Bryson's argument is that it is a used a Foundation matching grant to develop the
miracle that we Ñ our planet and our species Ñ concentrated language encounter method that has
have survived. ¨We enjoy not only the privilege of been adopted by educational leaders around the
existence,© Bryson writes, ¨but also the singular world.
ability to appreciate it and even, in a multitude of At the community level, our clubs are well
ways, to make it better.© known for book drives that have changed the lives
We are fortunate to be able to read his words of so many children. But when we gather many
or any others. And we are fortunate to be part of an clubs and districts together and work on large-scale
organization that is making our world a better place Rotary Foundation projects, we have the potential
by helping those who can't read them. There are an to impact entire communities for generations.
estimated 773 million illiterate adults Ñ most of them The opportunities for Rotary to make a
womenÑ who can't read these words or write their own difference in literacy are boundless. Once basic
name. They are at a clear disadvantage in life, with reading and writing is achieved, it opens a path to
limited opportunities to work. And this situation other types of literacy, such as numerical literacy,
isn't their fault. digital literacy, and financial literacy.
Rotary has not forgotten them. In September, Let's not squander our opportunity to improve
let's celebrate Basic Education and Literacy Month our corner of the universe. I encourage you to think
by looking at the long-term impact Rotary and The big about literacy and education and change the
Rotary Foundation are making and how we are world Ñ this month and beyond.
finding ways to lend a hand in the effort.
Last year alone, The Rotary Foundation IAN H.S. RISELEY
approved 104 global grants totaling $6.3 million Foundation trustee chair

Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa

6 ᇃᢊ׭ᎈȁ2022.9