Children who have received Rota’s training.
DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (Rota) felicitated 30 students and 17 volunteers who took part in a year-long Literacy Support Programme, at an event recently held at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre.
In 2009, Rota introduced the Literacy Support Program, a volunteer-based initiative in collaboration with the Stafford International (Sri Lankan) School.
The programme targeted students at the school who needed additional English literacy assistance, with volunteers providing extra academic support to Sri Lankan students. This event provided the children with a morning of fun games and entertainment, including competitions, awards, and recognition for a year of hard work.
“Rota thanks volunteers who continue to give their time, talent and skills to promote education and development in Qatar and abroad. They are an inspiration to us all,” said Rota’s International Volunteer Specialist, Marrakech Arbuckle.
Volunteers, called Literacy Coaches who were trained by the Rota Volunteer Program in partnership with the Stafford International School and volunteer coordinator, were required to support the literacy and language development of a select group of second year students, identified by the school as requiring extra academic support according to specific criteria.
The Coaches, working in partnership with the second grade teachers at the Stafford International School, developed activities that complimented ongoing classroom instruction, and provided the students in need with opportunities to improve their English literacy skills.
“This program has provided me with a chance to both get involved in a new community and utilise my skills,” said Ann Glidewell, a Volunteer Coordinator who spearheaded the literacy program. “The hours of hard work pay off when you see the progress each of the students made throughout the year.”
Another volunteer Gail Chalmers said, “When I signed up for this program I knew that I would get the chance to give and receive at the same time, and indeed I did receive much more than I expected.”
The children were presented with Certificates of Participation by Rota. The Peninsula
