Drive to improve Literacy Across the Caribbean continues

On October 8, 2011 more than 200 children from the Flanker community in St. James participated in the 11th staging of the Sandals Foundation annual literacy fair dubbed Readathon. Miss Jamaica World 2011 Danielle Crosskill, celebrity reader at the event  endorsed the foundation’s literacy efforts by way of participating in one of the many reading sessions which was done alongside the Sesame Street characters.

Readathon was established in 2000 to help curb the decline in literacy and increase a love of reading among 6-16-year-olds within the area. This year’s event is expected to be another ‘edutaining’ and rewarding experience with activities such as reading and spelling competitions for different age groups, appearances by Sesame Street characters.

Sandals Foundation Director, Heidi Clarke stated “Readathon has become one of the most anticipated events in the area. Its value to the community is phenomenal, because it allows the children and young adults a chance to experience the exciting world of reading and further gives them the confidence to exercise their literary creativity.”

Readathon is one of several educational initiatives undertaken by the Sandals Foundation in Flanker. The ministry of education have also partnered with the foundation reading specialists will be on location to provide technical and diagnostic support by analyzing the literacy level of the children within the area.