Enriching education for our keiki (children)

By Rotary International

Mike Curtis, a member of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach, reads to students at Koloa Elementary School. Photo by Rotary Club of Poipu Beach

Mike Curtis, a member of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach, reads to students at Koloa Elementary School. Photo by Rotary Club of Poipu Beach

By Michael Carlsson

As incoming president of our club, I wondered how we could have an even greater impact on the education of our local keiki (children).

We have been supporting Koloa Elementary School over the years with our Rotary Readers program and dictionary distribution to third graders. We have also provided funds and volunteers for the Growing Our Own Teachers program on our island in order to fill a teacher gap. But I still felt we should be doing more.

Our elementary school in Koloa does a wonderful job but continues to struggle when it comes to resources. Like many teachers across the U.S., the teachers here often reach into their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies. They have to forgo field trips that would get the local keiki out into the community to broaden their horizons. And lack of public funding has prevented the school from providing creative extracurricular activities after school.

Aloha Angels
We learned of a way to partner financially with Aloha Angels, part of the Hawaii Community Foundation, to make a greater impact. Working through them, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

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