Rotary Club of Labasa
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1. Project Background
Education First Trust in 2014 identified there was a huge problem with literacy particularly English language and numeracy in low decile and many rural schools in Fiji. It was accepted that students lacked teaching aid that may assist in improving their understanding of English language. It was recognised that Rotary Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary was an ideal tool to assist with English learning
Following approach to Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside it was decided to embark on a joint project to have the dictionaries available to students in low decile schools.
In 2015 first distribution was undertaken covering 22 schools and 456 students in Lautoka Fiji
In 2016 second distribution was undertaken covering 40 schools and 509 students in Ba and Tavua area.
2. 2017 Project Description
Following success of past two distribution of dictionaries in schools in Fiji, Rotary club of Auckland Harbourside and Education First Trust approved an ambitious programme to distribute 1600 dictionaries to Fijian schools in Nausori. Nadi, Sigatoka and Labasa.
3. Project Implementation
The first 1200 books were purchased and shipped to Lautoka Fiji in late March 2017 for distribution commencing 3rd April 2017 to 13 April 2017
The next 400 books were purchased and shipped on 21 April 2017 for distribution to Labasa scheduled for June headed by President Harjeet in conjunction with Rotary Club of Labasa.
The Labasa distribution was undertaken from Tuesday, 6 June – Friday, 9 June 2017.
4. How many schools and Students benefited from this project
Distribution covered 84 rural and low decile schools covering 1600 students as listed below:
- Nausori / Tailevu – Team Leader Joyti Singh assisted by Sursen Singh – Visited 20 Nausori schools and distributed 396books
| SCHOOLS | Roll | Roll | |
| Dravo District School | 27 | Gram Sagathan School | 16 |
| Kuku District School | 20 | Koroqaqa Primary School | 17 |
| Krishna Vedic School | 24 | Ratu Ravuama Vunivalau M School | 20 |
| Ratu Sauvoli Memorial School | 31 | Santan Dharam Visama School | 39 |
| Saraswati Primary School Dilkusha | 15 | Toga District School | 21 |
| Vunimono Islamic School | 43 | Waidalice RamaKrishna School | 21 |
| Waidra Muslim Primary School | 13 | Waidalice District School | 27 |
| Daku Village School | 5 | Delainakaikai Primary School | 9 |
| Kasavu Primary School | 13 | Korociricri Primary School | 14 |
| Krishna Janardhan School | 17 | Shantinketan Pathsala Primary School | 4 |
| Total | 208 | 188 |
- Sigatoka / Nadroga / Navuso Team Leader Pradeep Chand assisted by Sursen Singh – 11 April to 14 April 2017 –Visited 10 Schools in above area distributing 138books.
| SCHOOLS | ROLL | ROLL | |
| Lomawai Primary School | 24 | Tau Primary School | 18 |
| Ratu Nemani Primary School | 11 | Naidiri Bay Khalsa School | 6 |
| Ratu Ilaisa Memorial School | 13 | Nadroga Sangam School | 23 |
| Raunitogo Primary Schools | 14 | Nadrala Sangam School | 8 |
| Kavanagasau Santan Dharam School | 7 | Ratu Filise Memorial School | 14 |
| Total | 69 | 69 |
- Nadi – Team Leader Ashok Shankar (Chair Education First Trust) assisted by Esther Shankar 11 April to 14 April 2017 – Visited following 15 Nadi schools distributing 381books
| SCHOOLS | ROLL | SCHOOLS | ROLL |
| Sabeto District School | 28 | Sabeto Central Primary School | 39 |
| Sabeto Muslim Primary School | 43 | Masimasi Primary School | 16 |
| Nadele Public School | 11 | Vaturu District School | 23 |
| Sabeto Sangam Primary School | 35 | Maharishi Primary School | 15 |
| Maigania Muslim Primary School | 38 | Mulomulo Primary School | 37 |
| Mulomulo Muslim Primary School | 24 | Vunayaasi District School | 21 |
| Ralete Primary School | 12 | Toga Primary School | 21 |
| Hindu Mahasabha School | 18 | ||
| Total | 209 | 172 |
- Nadi Sigatoka Team Leader – Anil Verma assisted by Rohini Verma coveringNadi /Sigatoka 11 April 2017 – Following 10 schools visited 285 dictionariesdistributed:
| SCHOOLS | ROLL | SCHOOLS | ROLL |
| Uciwai Sangam School | 11 | Nalovo Sangam School | 10 |
| Nawai Public School | 12 | Malamala Public School | 21 |
| Tau Primary School | 19 | Ratu Nemani Memorial School | 10 |
| Savusavu Public School | 14 | Nadi District School | 69 |
| Nadi Arya Samaj Primary School | 54 | Nawaka District School | 65 |
| Total | 110 | 175 |
· LabasaSchoolsTeamLeaderHarjeetGolian,JacquiMathewsHarris,AshwiniSadhu,Vidya Nand and members of Rotary Club of Labasa covering 29 schools and 400students
The distribution was undertaken from Tuesday, 6 June – Friday, 9 June 2017
| SCHOOLS | ROLL | SCHOOLS | ROLL |
| Bua District School | 10 | ||
| Bua Primary School | 6 | Waibunabuna Primary School | 32 |
| Vunivau Primary School | 12 | Caboi/Daboi Santan School | 11 |
| Daku Primary School | 14 | Naivaka Primary School | 7 |
| Qelemumumu Primary | 23 | Wavuwavu Primary School | 12 |
| Nasasa Primary School | 4 | Nabu primary School | 10 |
| Labasa Muslim Primary School | 18 | Namau Primary School | 18 |
| Korokadi Primary School | 13 | Draladamu Primary School | 5 |
| Lagalaga Santan Primary School | 15 | Wainikoro Public School | 5 |
| Korotari Primary School | 18 | Korowiri Primary School | 11 |
| Navoalevu Primary School | 10 | Narauwai Primary School | 21 |
| Naikelikoso Primary School | 12 | Nasekulae Primary School | 21 |
| Naruwai Primary School | 21 | Naduna Arya Primary School | 10 |
| Naseakula District School | 20 | Vanivutu Primary School | 11 |
| Vunimoli Primary School | 24 | Wairki Primary School | 6 |
| Total | 220 | 180 |
5. Impact of this Project
This is third distribution total students benefiting from this project so far 2565 students.
We have re visited schools in Lautoka to get some perspective of impact of this project that revealed students were using the dictionaries and teachers have noticed a gradual improvement in literacy.
The students targeted would have never been able to afford a dictionary, it is not only students nearly all schools library had no dictionaries available as reference books. We have since also handed a copy of the dictionary to many schools.
The Head teachers were extremely grateful for this gift of learning that they believe will assist in uplifting students English language skills.
As we now have three years student data we propose to undertake a review on effectiveness and sustainability of this project. A discussion on this has been held with University of Fiji to assist with such review no timetable has been established on commencement of this review but we are pursuing this to get off this ground as soon as practicable.
In summary this is a very satisfying experience to see smiles on student faces receiving their own Dictionaries a gift of Learning and teacher expressing their gratitude of our endeavors.
6. Joint Partners Participation
6 Members of Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside 6 Trustees and partners of Education First Trust volunteered for distribution and assisting with logistics. The Project was led by Sursen Singh Past President of Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside and Past Chair and Trustee of Education First Trust.
We also had valuable support from Fiji Rotarians, District Governor Elect Malini Raghwan provided valued assistance in arranging rental vehicle at discounted rate, providing her own vehicle for distribution plus assisting with stamping of dictionary in Suva plus arranging volunteers to assist with dictionary distribution in Nausori.
Bob Niranjan Suva Rotarian of Budget Rental Cars providing a rental car at a heavily discounted rate. ADG Krpuesh Patel of Nadi for transport of books to Suva, warehousing books at Nadi at no cost.
Nadi Rotary Club members assisting with stamping of 800 books in Nadi
Ami Kohli and members of Labasa Rotary club for their valuable help with Labasa distribution and providing meals and transport etc.
7. Other Cooperating organisation & Individuals
We are grateful to following organisations and individuals without their support the success of project was not possible.
Ministry of Education Fiji providing regulatory approvals recommending schools for distribution and organising school visitation schedule.
Dr Narendra Reddy Fiji Co-ordinator of the project for his valuable assistance in coordinating the project in Fiji, liaisons with Fiji Ministry of Education and obtaining necessary regulatory dispensation and approvals.
Ramesh and Bimla Chand of Starest Furniture, for warehousing books in Suva, assisting with stamping, distribution and providing transport
Hasu Chandra of Atlas Ltd in Suva for assisting with distribution and providing transport for distribution.
Joeli Misiki and Mavis Veitata two young volunteers arranged by DG Elect Malini Ragwhan to assist me with the distribution they were very helpful.
John Lal of Fuji Business Solutions for providing a vehicle to Anil Verma to undertake distribution in Nadi and Sigatoka.
Ami Kohli of Labasa and Labasa Rotary club for their valuable help with Labasa distribution and meeting major cost of distribution.
Sursen Singh – Project Leader
Rotary Club of Auckland Harbourside & Education First Trust Date: 29 August 2017
>>>To see images of this project click Here
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