To the Editor:
Everywhere you look, you see words - in newspapers, online, on signs, on buses or in books. Imagine for a minute that you can't comprehend what these words mean. Everything written looks strange or foreign. How would you feel? Helpless? Stranded?
That's exactly how one in six adults around the world feel. Lacking minimum literacy skills, these individuals risk becoming isolated from society. Illiteracy affects their ability to find jobs and to contribute to their community, and therefore affects their very survival.
Reading and writing are things we take for granted. However, despite many efforts, literacy for all - children, youth and adults is still an unaccomplished goal. September 18 is World Literacy Day. As governments promote literacy and affirm its vital importance as a human right, you too can do something. Here are some interesting ways you can contribute in the fight to end illiteracy.
Volunteer. Spare some time to teach someone to read or write.
Sponsor a Child. Giving children the opportunity to attend school is vitally important in the world's attempt to prevent illiteracy. But worldwide, millions of children are unable to attend school for financial reasons. Sponsoring a child through an organization like World Vision can give children access to education and helps them break through the cycle of poverty (www.worldvision.ca).
Fundraise. You could take it a step further and even organize a fundraiser to help build a school in a developing country (www.friendsofworldvision.com).
Donate your old books. Clear out your old books that you don't read anymore and give them to the library.
Whatever you choose to do, there's no better time to start than now.
Roshan Chandy, Mississauga, ON.
