ProLiteracy Initiates Aid for Partner Programs hit by Earthquake, Cyclone

Corporate partner Towers Perrin supports relief efforts

May 15, 2008
Syracuse, NY

ProLiteracy, the largest organization of adult literacy programs in the world, established special relief funds to help its partner literacy programs and the people they support recover from the earthquake that devastated central China and the May 2 cyclone that left thousands homeless in Myanmar.

“Our program partners in Sichuan province and Gansu province in China have sent staff to investigate the local conditions,” said David C. Harvey, ProLiteracy president and CEO. “Program directors tell us they are taking the lead in organizing a larger relief effort with other Chinese nongovernmental organizations. And they are continuing to hold literacy classes in the communities that were not seriously affected by the earthquake.”

In Sichuan province, ProLiteracy works with the Association for Rural Development of Yilong County (ARDY). ARDY’s nine branches combine lessons in reading, writing, and math with micro-credit and mutual-support cooperatives that help villagers earn livings while developing their communities. More than 60 percent of those enrolled in the program are women over the age of 45 with little or no formal schooling.

ProLiteracy partner Beijing Cultural Development center for Rural Women (BCDCRW) helps illiterate women in Gansu province learn to read, write, and do basic math. As they learn, the women gain self-confidence and raise their social status; they are able to run small businesses in their home communities or take jobs outside the village.

In Myanmar, ProLiteracy is working through Church World Service.

“We have a prior working relationship with Church World Service and we know that, in both Myranmar and China, once people have had their immediate needs for food and shelter taken care of, any long-term rebuilding efforts will include lessons in native-language reading and writing, so people will be able to care for themselves permanently,” Harvey said. “Literacy skills are integral to that.”

The special funds are similar to the one ProLiteracy established for its programs in India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh following the December 26, 2004 tsunami that caused heavy losses and destruction throughout Indonesia. Global professional services firm and ProLiteracy corporate partner Towers Perrin and its employees were instrumental in establishing and supporting the fund.

“ProLiteracy and its partner programs are fortunate to have Towers Perrin’s continued support in this relief effort,” Harvey said, noting that Towers Perrin is adding to its internal Web site a direct link to the relief effort giving pages.

Anyone may donate to the special funds at ProLiteracy’s Web site at proliteracy.org.

About ProLiteracy:
ProLiteracy supports adults and young people in the U.S. and internationally who are learning to read, write, and do basic math by training instructors, publishing instructional materials, and advocating for resources and public policies that support them. ProLiteracy represents more than 3,000 organizational and individual members in the U.S. and works with 125 nongovernmental agencies in 65 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The sale of materials produced by ProLiteracy’s publishing division, New Readers Press, support its programs and services.