2020-2021 District Governor Message (September)

My Rotary Family, we are already one sixth of the way through the Rotary year and it feels like just yesterday we were waking up to the start of the new year. In September, Rotary focuses on Basic Education and Literacy. Did you know that over 776 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate? While we in District 7030 open opportunities to support education, we should remember that this month's theme is also integral to our mission to promote peace in our District and our world. Remember that without basic education and literacy, poverty and inequality will persist, and with these conditions, peace cannot exist.

August was another action packed month at the District level with presentations on membership development, peace building, and public image – “Present Like A Pro”.

We joined with District 7020 to address the burning issue of “Elevate Rotaract” with PRI President Barry Rassin and our own DRC Giselle being part of the dynamic panel.

Clubs, engaged in projects that focused on COVID-19 relief efforts, as some of our countries took the difficult decision that schools should remain closed until the end of this calendar year. We also had clubs executing projects focusing on, environmental protection, childhood obesity prevention, and education and literacy.

 

In September, Rotary focuses on Basic Education and Literacy. Did you know that over 776 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate? This is a staggering statistic and while most of us look at the children, let us not forget that we can partner with others, trained in adult literacy to bring the gift of reading to persons stigmatized by illiteracy. There is much that we can learn from Rotary’s T-E-A-C-H initiative and by joining the Rotary Action Group for Literacy.

I was reminded by President Geert from Aruba that Saint Lucia has the honour of being home to a Nobel Laureate for literature, Sir Derek Walcott (recently deceased). A distinguished gentleman, from a small island developing state that made a love for poetry and writing an aspiration for many. I encourage you to view his story and be inspired by the documentary Poetry is an Island (view trailer here).

While we focus on basic education and literacy this month, we find that it also integral to our mission to promote peace in our District and our world. September 21st is established as the International Day of Peace by the United Nations. This year the theme is: "Shaping Peace Together" and I would like to encourage Rotarians and Rotaractors in District 7030 to help shape peace in our communities, our district and our world by joining the Rotary Action Group for Peace.

We are honoured this year to have Rotary International Director Peter Kyle – who has long been a champion for peace within Rotary – as our guest speaker on September 21st and part of our ongoing District 7030 Peace-Building Series (click here for more information and to register).

Remember that without basic education and literacy, poverty and inequality will persist, and with these conditions, peace cannot exist.

God Bless, stay safe and stay connected.