Press Releases

Ambassador John Rood Promotes Literacy in Mayaguana and San Salvador Schools

March 9, 2007

 

With less than one month remaining before his official tour of duty ends, Ambassador Rood visited schools on March 1^st in Mayaguana and San Salvador as part of his reading program.  With these visits, the Ambassador has now visited schools in all of the major Family Islands.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission, Dr. D. Brent Hardt, and other Embassy personnel, the group arrived at Abraham’s Bay Airport in Mayaguana, one of the three small settlements on the island, shortly after 9:00 a.m.  Ambassador Rood was greeted by Senior Deputy Administrator Mr. Samuel Miller, District Superintendent of Schools for MICHAL, Mr. McDonald Rolle, Mrs. Vernice Gibson, Principal of Mayaguana High School, Sergeant Roosevelt Curry of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and other local dignitaries. 

In Mayaguana, students from Abraham’s Bay High and Pirates Well Primary Schools held a joint assembly at the Baycaner Beach Resort in Pirate’s Well.  The student theme for the visit was ‘Cultivating Good Minds Through Reading’, the students performed songs, skits, and dances.  The Ambassador talked about being an ambassador, thanked the students and teachers for all the work they put into the program, and encouraged the students and parents to make reading a regular part of their day.  Ambassador Rood also read a short story on the life of U.S. Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and donated a wide collection of books to each of the schools.

In San Salvador, the Ambassador was greeted by Island Administrator, Chrisfield Johnson; Sergeant Jervis Jones of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Mr. Paul Turnquest, Principal, United Estates Primary School, Mrs. Margaret Thacker, District Superintendent, and other local residents.  After lunch at Paradis Restaurant, Ambassador Rood went to United Estates Primary School for the reading program.    The reception at United Estates Primary was overwhelming.  The Girls Choir gave a splendid rendition of “Welcome to San Salvador” followed by an enthusiastic performance of “This Land is My Land” by the Boys Choir.  Once again, Ambassador Rood shared with the students the story of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for civil equality.  Several students were invited by the Ambassador to read the story alternately with him. 

 

BACKGROUND ON THE READING PROGRAM

About the reading program initiative, Ambassador Rood said that one of his priorities during his tenure in The Bahamas has been to promote literacy and to promote reading.  He said that as First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian, and her husband President Bush have pushed the message of literacy; he too must do so as well.  He describes the reading program as one of his most exciting and meaningful outreach activities as U.S. Ambassador as it gives him an opportunity to interact with the children and positively touch their lives.

Since the start of the reading program in January of 2005 Ambassador John Rood has taken his message of reading for pleasure to schools throughout the archipelago.  He has inspired hundreds of Bahamian students to develop a love for reading with his visits to eighteen schools in New Providence and 32 schools in the Family Islands of San Salvador, Mayaguana, Cat Island, Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, Bimini, Andros, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma and Abaco. 

Caption: Alexis Knowles and Brandon Pratt of United Estates Primry School, San Salvador, assist Ambassador Rood in reading.