Read to Lead Fiji

In 1990, the high school dropout rate for Dolly Parton's hometown of Sevierville Tennessee was at 34% (Research shows that most kids make up their minds in fifth/sixth grade not to graduate). That year, all fifth and sixth graders from Sevierville were invited by Parton to attend an assembly at Dollywood. They were asked to pick a buddy, and if both students completed high school, Dolly Parton would personally hand them each a $500 check on their graduation day. As a result, the dropout rate for those classes fell to 6%, and has generally retained that average to this day.

Shortly after the success of The Buddy Program, Parton learned in dealing with teachers from the school district that problems in education often begin during first grade when kids are at different developmental levels. That year The Dollywood Foundation paid the salaries for additional teachers assistants in every first grade class for the next 2 years, under the agreement that if the program worked, the school system would effectively adopt and fund the program after the trial period.

During the same period, Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995: The idea being that children from her rural hometown and low-income families often start school at a disadvantage and as a result, will be unfairly compared to their peers for the rest of their lives, effectively encouraging them not to pursue higher education. The objective of the Imagination library was that every child in Sevier County would receive one book, every month, mailed and addressed to the child, from the day they were born until the day they started kindergarten, 100% free of charge. What began as a hometown initiative now serves children in all 50 states, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, mailing thousands of free books to children around the world monthly.

On March 1, 2018 Parton donated her 100 millionth book at the Library of Congress: a copy of "Coat of Many Colors" dedicated to her father, who never learned to read or write.

Reading and storytelling with your children is a fun way to keep your child engaged. It promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions and also strengthens relationship. Read and encourage your child to read today.

📖

Thank you Ministry of Education FIJI for supporting and acknowledging the handover of Phase 6 books for R2L Fiji.
We are forever thankful to Madam Mary Bainimarama, our R2L Fiji Patron for gracing this special ocassion.
Our deepest appreciation to FIJI Water, our committed sponsors and for extending your continued support for the Program.

Thank you so much Pure Fiji for always being our wonderful hosts and supporting Vision Fiji and it’s projects

We also marked a very special ocassion yesterday

Mr Gulshard Ali of Toko Sanatan Primary School in Tavua was the recipient of: “Excellence Award for Leadership in a Primary School”

Our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Ali for demonstrating resilience, perseverance and dedication during your career path and we certainly hope that you inspire many other leaders to draw aspiration from your journey

Yesterday was a special day as we witnessed the official handover of books as part of phase 6 to Ministry of Education, Fiji

The Assistant Minister for Education Heritage & Arts: Hon. Joseph Nand received the

Our Patron of Read to Lead FIJI, Mrs Mary Bainimarama kindly graced the occasion and elaborated on the importance of this initiative and the value of reading for our next generation leaders

If you have not filled out a nomination form for the Fiji Children’s Awards 2020, you can do so now by logging into a google account and filling the form online with a few clicks

Click link below to nominate a deserving candidate:

Google Forms - create and analyze surveys, for free. Create a new survey on your own or with others at the same time. Choose from a variety of survey types and analyze results in Google Forms. Free from Google.

An initiative of Vision Fiji

Bula All

Kindly note that nominations for this years Fiji Children’s Awards is due on 10th October 2020.

Nominate that deserving child today and showcase their journey through this platform

To obtain copy of nomination form, please email [email protected]

A great initiative by Vision Fiji