Best Ways to Celebrate International Literacy Day Through Volunteering
International Literacy Day is an annual global event that focuses on the literacy challenges faced by different parts of the world. On this day, those who have dedicated commendable effort to the improvement of the world literacy rates are honored in an award ceremony, and the existing literacy issues are discussed so as to come up with effective ways to tackle them at the earliest. The theme of this International Literacy Day that falls on the 8th of September is “Literacy in a Digital World”, which emphasizes the importance of the knowledge of latest technology for skill development and education.
Digital literacy has become an essential tool for the growth of individuals as well as nations and is a key to sustainable development.
While people around the globe are working towards improving digital literacy, here are a few ways in which you can participate in the International Literacy Day celebrations through volunteering.
Start A Book Club
If you have some books that you do not use any more then you can donate them to an NGO or a local library. An even better idea is to start a community driven book club for those who cannot afford to buy these books. Conduct a book collection drive in your neighborhood to set up a mini-library for the underprivileged children of your area. Spend a few hours every week with these children to help them read the books that you have collected.
Teach For Free
There are several NGO’s in the country that focus on providing education to the weaker sections of society. There are also some schools that run special programs for the underprivileged. Volunteer at any such NGO or school to teach the students for free. Knowledge is the best gift that you can offer to someone. If you can spare some time on a weekly basis to share your knowledge of a subject with the students then you will be contributing towards their future in an extremely impactful manner.
Promote Digital Literacy
A large percentage of the population of our country still doesn’t know how to operate a computer or browse the internet. These are some of the basic skills that have become prerequisites for a majority of jobs and therefore, the lack of digital skills acts as a roadblock in the career paths of these individuals. You can help them by conducting camps that provide free training regarding the use of technology and the internet. You can also donate an old laptop or tablet to an organisation that provides such training to the unemployed youth of the country.
Spread Awareness in the Community
Most NGO’s that work in the field of education are constantly in the need of active volunteers who can help them in promoting their cause. If you do not have the time to visit the NGO often then you can sign up as an online volunteer for creating social media banners and thought provoking blog posts that encourage others to support the NGO. If you present the brutal facts about illiteracy to your friends and family members then this may encourage them to join the literacy movement to win the battle against illiteracy together.
These are some of the ways in which you can make a difference to the literacy rates in the country by devoting some of your time and energy to the mission promoted by International Literacy Day.
Knowledge is the most valuable resource that we have and it only multiplies with sharing. If you have been fortunate enough to receive a good education then why not give others a chance to benefit from it?
This International Literacy Day, help someone who struggles with reading the alphabet or sending an e-mail to make your contribution towards eradicating illiteracy from the planet.