On International Literacy Day, Curaçao’s service clubs found out — and the result was unforgettable!
Curaçao, September 8, 2025 – On International Literacy Day, Rotary Club of Curaçao joined forces with Rotary Club of Willemstad, Rotaract Club of Curaçao, Lions Club of Curaçao, and several friends of the clubs to shine a spotlight on the importance of reading and literacy.
A total of 32 volunteers – members and friends of the four service clubs – visited six schools across the island: Kolegio Bellefaas Martis, Kolegio San Dominico, Franciscus College, Glorieux College, Goilo School, and Kolegio Chaya Willems. Throughout the morning, they read interactive stories in Dutch, sharing their love for books and storytelling with enthusiastic students.
This special initiative was organized in recognition of International Literacy Day, which has been observed worldwide since 1966 by UNESCO to emphasize the crucial role literacy plays in the lives of individuals, communities, and societies.
The event also highlighted the Ban Lesa project of the Public Library. This initiative already counts more than 70 dedicated volunteers who read aloud in schools each month, helping to foster language development and nurture a lifelong love of reading among children.
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Voices from the Day
The morning was filled with sweet, funny, and inspiring moments. Here are some reflections shared by volunteers:
Zeudi and Gerd Glaudemans:
“It was amazing, the kids were sooo sweet I didn’t want to leave. The other ladies and Gerd felt the same – what a wonderful experience. The children even asked Tosca to come back tomorrow to read again 😀. Moniek and the school principal want us to come every week!”Corinne Senior:
“The kids asked: ‘Ki dia tante ta bolbe bin lesa?’ (‘Auntie, when are you coming back to read?’). Some even remembered me from last year: ‘Tante ta bin lesa serka nos atrobe e anja aki.’ They also wanted to know why today was a special day. One child said: ‘Pasombra mi ruman a hasi anja anto nos tin fiesta di Ninja’ (‘Because my brother had a birthday and we had a Ninja party’). It does so much GOOD to hear all the volunteers so enthusiastic. That’s exactly what you hope for, and it’s wonderful when it works. Normally I read to Group 3, but today I read to Group 1/2 — such a grateful group! Kids participate so eagerly when the book is interactive. It was also an eye-opener to see the classrooms, where despite limited resources, teachers make them fun and welcoming.”Joram Parabirsing:
“The kids were pretty quiet, but when I finished reading and asked questions, they gave good answers. They were really listening! Seeing the kids pay close attention to the story was my favorite moment of the morning. I felt very good being part of this initiative. The kids enjoyed it, and I will definitely join this project from the Bibliotheek. It wasn’t something I thought I’d do, but thanks to this project, I signed up. It was a great preview.”Tessely Kramers:
“They wanted me to read it again, hahaha. During the story, some even said they collect bird feathers — when I asked what they do with them, one answered: ‘Make wings to fly!’ (The story was about Johannes the parakeet.) My favorite part was when they decided not to sit at their desks but came to sit close to me on the floor, sharing their imaginations.”Jodiane Doran:
“There was a little girl with an amazing imagination — she saw things in the pictures that no one else noticed. During the story, there was a scene where the children sang together, and the class decided to sing a song they had just learned. The kids asked questions during the session, like why the mom and teacher looked alike or why the children ate without using the table. It was an awesome experience. I never imagined sharing my joy for reading with others. The happiness reflected in their eyes made it all worth it. My favorite moment was when they sang.”
Even the schools shared their gratitude. One wrote:
“Heel erg bedankt voor jullie tijd, inzet en enthousiasme vandaag bij het voorlezen. Wij waarderen dit enorm! Jullie zijn altijd van harte welkom bij ons op school.”
(“Thank you so much for your time, effort, and enthusiasm in reading today. We truly appreciate it! You are always very welcome at our school.”)
Reflecting on the day, Rotary Club of Curaçao, together with the participating service clubs and their friends, described the experience as both inspiring and meaningful – a clear reminder of how vital reading remains for Curaçao’s future.
Want to Get Involved?
The Library is still looking for new volunteers for the upcoming school year. If you would like to join and make a difference by reading to children, please sign up by September 12 through this form: Volunteer Registration Form.
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