READ FOR LIFE The ‘Read for Life’ Project is a way of introducing books and reading to children in communities where books are scarce or nonexistent. Literacy levels in these areas are drastically low and we hope that with the help of the Samuel Gilbert community we could make a difference by donating new or secondhand books to the Read For Life Project. The slogan “Look, Talk, Turn” is being employed. at the pictures with your child about what is on the page the page

Why is there a Read For Life ?

In remote areas literacy rates are as low as 7%. Shortages of suitable books to read mean that some homes have few or no books at all. Poor literacy is linked to poor health, particularly in indigenous communities, where infants under 12 months have one third the survival rate of non-indigenous Australians. Increasing the reading age of young mothers by one year can increase the life expectancy of her child by up to four years. Those who can't read are unable to read correct doses on medicine bottles, correctly make-up baby formula or recognise poison warnings on bottles.  They are also unable to seek work, or even apply for a driver's license to take children to health clinics.

The purpose of the campaign is twofold. The first step is to get books to remote communities where homes are often bookless. The second aim is to get parents/carers in remote areas actively involved in helping teach the beginnings of reading. The good thing about "Look, Talk and Turn" is that even parents who are illiterate can still teach their children the beginnings of literacy. - how to hold a book, how to make up stories and talk about what they see (which also improves language and communication skills), and more importantly, instill the love of books from an early age.

In a bookless home,  a book is a priceless gift. Experience shows that books distributed to children in remote areas are read by up to 7 other people.

Read For Life has a mammoth challenge to meet, but with donations of excellent condition new or recycled books, families in cities can help far less fortunate communities, and help save lives in the process.