September is Education and Literacy Month

Basic education and literacy is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus.

We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health,  encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. Consider these international facts:

•   If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths.
•   A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.
•   If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty.

Rotary clubs all over the world are taking action to enhance basic education and literacy in their communities. Every community has different needs and different opportunities to serve. Asbury Park Rotary supports these efforts through its Dictionary, Kwanzaa Books and College Scholarship Programs.