By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

A literacy program called "Rotary Reads," was launched on Wednesday and it is a joint project by the Rotary Club of Palau and the First Lady Debbie Remengesau and the Public Library.
Under the program prominent figures will set aside time with the children by reading to them.
The First Lady accepted the invitation of the club to be one of the figures who would make time and share their time with the kids.
According to the club , it believes that literacy will help individuals to make good informed decisions about their day to day living. Literacy will also help to boost economies.
The club added that according to UNESCO, 780 million adults, two-thirds of whom are women, are unable to read.
"Another 100 million children worldwide are not in school. Eighty-five percent of the world's illiterate live in just 35 countries that are concentrated in regions of high poverty. The Rotary Club of Palau will continue to help national leaders in their efforts to help children develop their reading skills by doing programs such as Rotary Reads," the press release said.
The first lady said that this is one project she would love to promote.
"I am encouraging kids to read more," Remengesau said.
She said in Palau there are a number of children in Palau that are illiterate because their parents are also illiterate.
She said she’s looking forward to sharing her time with the children at least once a week.
The Rotary said that for the month of October they are inviting children from the community to visit Koror Public Library on Mondays and Fridays at 3 p.m.
"So that we can share the spirit of reading . We also encourage children to Dive into reading by checking out a book at the Public library and to be a part of the Public Library by signing up for a library card," the rotary said.