Literacy
Happy International Literacy Day!
As I reflect on this day that is recognized as International Literacy Day, I am first and foremost thankful for the privilege of being able to read and write… to be literate! But when I think deeper, I realize that there are so many people and most females who do not have this life-changing privilege.
Article 26 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR) states:
“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms…”
The UNUDHR recognizes that illiteracy is the major global problem. Many developing countries have a very high number of peoples who do not know how to read and write, the majority of these people are female and about 67.4 million children are out of school. Education is a very important tool for personal development.
My intention in this write-up is to direct our minds towards this all-important issue and for us all to begin to strategically assist to reduce the percentage of illiteracy around the world. Dear reader, I know you are literate because you are reading this… Do you know anyone or group of people that need this game-changing skill? How can you and I assist to reduce the number? It is never too late for anyone to get educated. Perhaps, you reader needs to even improve your literacy skills… there is always room for improvement, there is always more to learn. Personal development should be continuous and we must keep equipping ourselves with the necessary skills to create a better life.
Finally, I am so intrigued by the inspiring story of Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge, the Guinness World Record holder of the oldest person to start primary school. As I read about this man, who at age 84 enrolled into primary school and one thing led to another and he became a speaker at the United Nations 2005 World Summit addressing on the importance of free primary education, I believe that you and I can make a difference no matter how little to make the world a better place.
May I encourage the reader of this article to look inwards and discover which area you need to educate yourself more and better. Go after your dreams, never let anyone tell you, “you are too old for that…” Do not let anyone kill your dream, take the first step and the next and the next and soon enough you will be amazed at the results. So, be encouraged, go for your dreams.
Don’t wait for anyone to assist you. Take advantage of the internet and technology and educate yourself and as you do that, look around for someone who needs what you learn and transfer the knowledge. Let us all do the little we can, while we can.
See you at the top!
Olayinka Hephzibah Ekenkwo
