READ FOR LIFE As part of Samuel Gilbert’s celebration of NAIDOC Week 2006 we launched a book drive to assist families in remote New South Wales. Literacy levels in these areas are drastically low and we hoped that with the help of the Samuel Gilbert community we could make a difference by contributing 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

Our school collected over 40 boxes of books and with kind help from IGA Walgett, the books are being trucked to Walgett Community College for regional distribution through health clinics, hospitals, schools and pre-schools - for parents and children to take home.

Glenhaven Public School and Wagga Wagga Rotary have also lent their support with collections. Read For Life started at SGPS but has spread, thanks to the wonderful Samuel Gilbert community's support.

Thanks go to the teachers, parents and children who generously donated their books, time and energy to make the project a success. Special thanks to Mrs Jenny Craft in the library for her great support and patience.

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.

www.readforlife.com.au will be online soon with more information.

Donated books - boxed & ready for transport to Walgett