Sandals Foundation observes International Literacy Day with Read-a-Thon 2014
THE Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, in partnership with the Flanker Resource Centre, hosted its annual Read-a-Thon over the weekend and just ahead of International Literacy Day (September 8).
The goal of this year’s Read-a-Thon was to focus on the unique and diverse culture, which Jamaica and the Caribbean offers.
The Foundation worked alongside the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission as well as celebrity reader and Miss St James Festival Queen, Trudy Ann Hylton to encourage and facilitate the cultural reading activities. Reading specialists from the Ministry of Education were also on-hand to perform complimentary diagnostic literacy checks for children experiencing difficulties with reading skills and comprehension.
Additionally, final-year journalism students from the University of the West Indies took the children through reading and spelling competitions which saw several top performers being awarded prizes. Read-a-Thon 2014 attendees also had an opportunity to interact with the Sesame Street walk-around character, Elmo.