Basic Education and Literacy Month is the Rotary theme for September.  This theme serves as a reminder that access to quality education and literacy skills is not only a fundamental right but also a catalyst for personal growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.

Education opens doors to a world of opportunities by:  Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Building Stronger Communities, Improving Health and Well-being and Promoting Gender Equality.

The Rotary Foundation supports education through scholarships, donations, and service projects around the world.

• Opening schools: In Afghanistan, Rotary members opened a girls’ school to break the cycle of poverty and social imbalance.
• Teaching adults to read: Rotary members in the United States partnered with ProLiteracy Detroit to recruit and train tutors after a study showed that more than half of the local adult population was functionally illiterate.
• New teaching methods: The SOUNS program in South Africa, Puerto Rico and the United States teaches educators how to improve literacy by teaching children to recognize letters by sounds instead of names.
• Making schools healthy: Rotarians are providing clean, fresh water to every public school in Lebanon so students can be healthier and get a better education.

As we celebrate Basic Education and Literacy Month, let us remember that education is the key to unlocking human potential and creating a better future for all. By supporting educational initiatives, advocating for equitable access to quality education, and promoting literacy, we can empower individuals, transform communities, and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous world.