Rotary provides books for women’s prison

The book capacity of the women’s prison library increased by approximately 240, with a donation of books from the Rotary Club of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

On Thursday, August 26, approximately 300 books were presented to Nicole Delecia, Officer in Charge of the Female Prison at Fort Charlotte, on behalf of the inmates there. The prison had just about 60 books prior to the donation.

Simeon Norton donated the collection, which included science fiction, suspense, action and romance novels, to the Rotary Club to be a part of their book donation drive.

Lisa Casino, Director of the Rotary Club’s Vocational Services Committee, said the drive which concentrated mainly on secondary schools, aims to improve literacy.

“So we thought the female prisoners can benefit through the books we are providing so that it can help them with their literacy programme,” Casino indicated.

President of the local Chapter of the Rotary Club, Dr. Francois Truchot, handing over the reading materials, said that the Club would next be looking into the provision of shelves for the books.

Meanwhile, Delecia said that she was proud to accept the books on behalf of the 10 inmates housed at the facility.

She expressed that the books were seen as a timely gift, since the prisoners would be starting school in September, where they will be taught basic mathematics, English and other subject areas.

The donation is just one of the events on the Rotary Club’s calendar for the rest of the year.

Casino indicated that the Rotary Club had just completed its work with the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme and would next be holding its public speaking competition for tertiary level institutions in October, as part of vocational services month.

The Rotary Club would also be embarking on a mentorship programme at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

President Truchot disclosed that the highly anticipated Rotary Village Doctor programme is expected to be held in early November in the village of Langley Park.

Other Rotarians at the handing over ceremony were Dr. Vernon Scott and Don Providence.(JJ)