International Involvement

Literacy Projects

Dr. Mary Laub, Chairperson

(updated 12/28/07)

I.                    Internet Websites

            • Free the Children International : http://www.freethechildren.org/

A non profit children's organization existing in more than 20 countries.  Projects include School and Health Kits among others.  Shipment is made from Toronto.

            • Kidlink : http://www.kidlink.org/english/general/snapshot.html

A non-profit organization that has been connecting students from over 140 countries. Students and groups can "connect" for meaningful online dialogue and projects by using password to access Kidlink’s private services.

            • Global SchoolNet: http://www.gsn.org/

Global SchoolNet provides collaborative learning opportunities for teachers to communicate and celebrate shared learning experiences.  The website is free to all educators and includes literacy projects for students.

• Operation Iraqi Children: http//www.operationiraqichildren.org

This organization was launched by actor Gary Sinise to encourage Americans to gather and send school supply kits to Iraqi children.  Details on this wonderful project are on the website.

II.                 School Kits Project – World Vision International Distribution Center, Pittsburgh, PA

•  School supplies can be collected or donated by schools and other community groups, then sent to World Vision who will distribute the kits to locations around the world.  The cost for shipping varies.  Each kit is handed over individually to each child in the designated country.  The address is:

            World Vision International Distribution Center

            North 79 Industrial Park

            210 Overlook Drive

            Sewickley, PA 15143

            pavolunteers@worldvision.org

           Phone: 412-749-1800, ext.227 ; contact person: Laura Kennedy

III.  IRA Honor Council   (ideas for International Involvement)

In the Leader Packet from IRA is a listing of projects in order to earn Honor Council status. The following items pertain to International Involvement:

·         ITEM # IV - 1

            Conduct or participate in an International Literacy Day celebration.  More information can be obtained from the Public Information Office at IRA headquarters: 1-800-336-7323, ext. 293 - Beth or visit the IRA website. A packet of information about celebrating this event may be purchased from IRA for approximately $10.   International Literacy Day is celebrated on September 8 each year.

·         ITEM # IV - 2

Sponsor an IRA international membership  ($61) which provides one- journal memberships for educators in least-developed nations.  Complete the form and follow directions in the IRA honor council section of the IRA council leader packet.

·         ITEM # IV - 3 - Contribute to world wide relief efforts

                        Send a check to :

American Red Cross International Response Fund

P.O. Box 372431

Washington, D.C. 20013

OR… contribute to the Salvation Army or Peace Corps - please check the internet for current addresses

OR… contribute to U.S. relief efforts, e.g., floods.  Documentation should include a photocopy of a newspaper clipping about the event or a paragraph which describes the event.

·         Make checks payable to : the organization, e.g., American Red Cross

·         Designate the location on the memo line of the check

·         Enclose a letter with the check to the organization.  Include in the letter a statement which mentions how the funds should be used.  Photocopy the letter for documentation to IRA. 

IV.              Literacy Projects

·         Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa

      Dr. Samuel Obeng, director of schools in Kumasi, is eager to continue a "Library Reading Club" project which was begun in his schools.

·         Rwanda, Africa

They are in need of funds in order to purchase books to replace those lost due to war.

For information, contact Jane H. Bond, 1215 Merganser Court, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464; phone 843-881-2738(H) and

843-723-0863(O).

·         Zambia, Africa

OperationREAD was begun by Project Educate, a non-profit organization.

Its purpose is to encourage students to read by providing books to schools and libraries.

For information, contact Mbao Ngula, ProjectEducate, P.O. Box 42394, Pittsburgh, PA  15203

·         Nigeria, Africa

The Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN) is in need of reading materials and used printing equipment in order to create a development center.

For information contact Obiajulu Emejulu, RAN president, or Chukwuemeka Onukaogu.

·         Lebanese Board on books for Young People

This is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Switzerland.  Its purpose is to promote reading among Lebanese children by making books available through free libraries. Visit their website at http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=437.

·         Quetzaltenango,Guatemala

The Colegio Miguel Angel Asturias School is in need of expanding its curriculum and providing financial grants for indigenous students to attend school.

·         Fiji

The Veuito School is in need of funds to purchase materials for their library.

For information contact Robin Peirce, chair, IRA International Development Committee of Oceania.

V.                 Academic Year in America (AYA)

The AYA is a foreign exchange program sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study Foundation.   AYA is designated as an official Exchange Visitor Program by the U.S. State Dept. and assists in placing students from other countries with host families in America.  Visit the website at http://www.academicyear.org.

©2007 Keystone State Reading Association

Last Modified 03/08/2007    Website Coordinator: Eric C. MacDonald