How many books can you read in 24 hours?
The first 24-hour Rise Up and Read Against Illiteracy read-a-thon aims to raise awareness of illiteracy and its social causes and effects.
The event will be held in the Rieber Fireside Lounge starting Saturday at 9 a.m. It was organized in collaboration by the Wish program at UCLA and the Office of Residential Life.
“Illiteracy is one of the greatest causes of poverty. The reason Wish is around is to raise awareness about poverty. Here, we can actively do something,” said Naina Singh, a second-year biochemistry student and director and co-founder of Wish, an on-campus organization that was started this past summer.
On Saturday, students will be given the opportunity to read as many books ““ no longer than 250 pages ““ as they can in a competition where the winner will receive a trophy and a prize.
Books were donated by local libraries for the event and participants are also urged to donate their own books from childhood, Singh said.
The books and funds raised in the read-a-thon will be sent with the Wish Teach Program to a village in Chennai, India. Wish members and volunteers will have the chance to travel to the village to teach, help children and make a difference as college students and global citizens, Singh said. The group hopes to send volunteers in winter 2011.
“It’s important for UCLA students especially to be aware of what they have and what they can do. Even something as simple as just donating books is something that can make a difference,” said Nina Gupta, a second-year political science student and vice director and co-founder of Wish.
For every book that is read at the event, one book will be donated by Wish and its sponsors, Gupta said.
By taking a stand on the global problem of illiteracy rather than the local one, Wish attempts to promote awareness of both illiteracy and the merits of an education.
Although the event is targeted at dorm residents since Wish is collaborating with the Office of Residential Life, everyone can walk in and participate and is encouraged to do so, Gupta said.