our newest literacy champion!
Meet Julia. She’s 9 and has JUST finished Year 3. She’s been an independent reader for a while and finds it quite easy – especially if it involves her favourite subject, mythology. Actually, she loves any fiction, but mythology is the specific topic of desire. And she’s our newest literacy champion!
How much does she love reading?
“A LOT!”
And why?
“I just love it. I can’t explain why.”
Many others feel like that too – unable to articulate how books take hold of them, but fully aware that they do.
When Julia’s mum, Hana, told her about the work of Connect42, and that there were many in our community who struggled with literacy, Julia was surprised. Surely everyone can read? Surely everyone is as lucky and has the opportunity to read about the things they love?
We know that Tasmania has a 48% rate of functional illiteracy, and through our programs we are doing everything we can to reach our aspirational goal of #100Percent.
And when she heard about Connect42, Julia wanted to do her bit as well, to help us “help people with their literacy”. So she asked her school principal if she could organise a “pyjama day” in order to raise funds for our work. Julia enjoys pyjama days almost as much as reading!
FUNraising and FUNDraising: important in equal measure.
They got in touch with us to see if it would be ok, to which we said yes, and she did the rest! How about that! Julia made some posters, the students were encouraged to wear their pyjamas and bring a coin donation on Monday, and the funds were counted and presented to our founder, Rosie Martin, on Tuesday. A grand total of $187.35 was raised, and we are over the moon.
We’re pretty chuffed with Julia’s kindness, as well as her school’s support (especially at a crazy-busy time of the year), and the generosity of the school’s families. And we think Julia’s pyjama day is worth celebrating. Quite the gift for us! Thank you, Julia. You are a true literacy champion.
Julia, presenting her donation to Connect42’s founder, Rosie Martin – with flowers from her garden and a personally decorated bag!