Rasco From RIF

FUNDACION LEER: 12 years and growing!

October 9th, 2009

Morgan Smalls, Patricia Mejalelaty, Miranda Thompkins, Carol Rasco; Morgan and Miranda are fall interns with RIF from Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina.

Another exciting day at RIF!  Today we welcomed Patricia Mejalelaty, Executive Director of RIF Argentina or Fundacion Leer as it is known in Argentina.  Patricia last visited two years ago – and wow, just wow, have they been hard at work in Argentina at Fundacion Leer! 

Students in Argentina’s public schools attend for four hours a day (some the morning shift, the others in the afternoons) which means there are many educational needs left unaddressed.  Bringing volunteers into the schools is difficult, but there are no libraries in most schools nor classrooms.  Setting up reading corners in schools and at the same time trying to assure those centers can be accessed on weekends and after school hours as well as during the school day are high priorities for Fundacion Leer. 

A year ago the 6th Annual National Reading Marathon logged the participation of 3.5 million children through 11,225 institutions nationwide with over 216,736 volunteers.  Most recently the 7th National Reading Marathon added a large public event for children throughout the city of Buenos Aires.  700 children, 100 volunteers and both the National Minister of Education for Argentina as well as the new (3 days on the job!) Ambassador from the United States participated!  For many of the children as well as a number of the teachers, it was their first visit to the zoo.  More large public events as well as a reading corner at the zoo are now in the planning stages. 

Increasing numbers of corporate volunteers are assisting in creating the reading corners in schools and feeding centers.  The strategic plan Patricia shared with small groups of our RIF staff shows as priorities the presentation of more teacher training through distance learning, increasing the individual donor base and showing more parental involvement in literacy activities. 

The children of Argentina can expect ongoing support from Fundacion Leer in receiving books, participating in writing contests sponsored by Disney as movies are released, and new twists on the National Reading Marathon.  

We are proud to have this wonderful partnership with Argentina and look forward to continued sharing like we had today whether in person or virtually!

Happy reading!
Carol

A dark, gray wall with falling plaster existed here and there were no books for children to enjoy anywhere in the school. Corporate volunteers transformed the area and stocked the shelves with books - this is a great place to read I am sure!

Be sure to visit RIF’s BIRTHDAY MEMORY BOOK and tell us about your favorite RIF memory! 

Twitter:  @RascofromRIF

Filed under: RIF Programs, RIF Staff Events

Tags: Fundacion Leer, RIF Argentina