You will not meet a more energetic, cause-passionate person than Anne Thomas. Anne was the featured speaker (for about the 5th time, according to Rotarian Fredrick Branchflower) at Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club’s Nov 11 meeting. Anne is the driving force behind the Laos-Cambodia Project, a literacy effort supporting the Kavet, an ethnic group that lives in far north Cambodia along the Laos border. The presentation, “From Literacy to University in 20 years,” highlighted the great gains the organization has made in teaching kids to read. The kids learn to read in evening classes, called by Anne “the best show in town.” Currently there are 800 students, 55 teachers - all volunteers - working in 2 provinces. According to Thomas, “we create the future beginning in primary grades, through high school, and now university. When we teach somebody to read, everything takes off.” Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club is supporting the Laos-Cambodia Project again this year, the eighth year it has done so, with a $2k grant.
Another grant of value, closer to home, was that of the Club to the Boys and Girls Club operating out of Village Green Community Center. The Boys and Girls Club was challenged keeping kids coronavirus-distanced in the gym. To remind them to keep their distance the Rotary Club purchased partitions that have been set up in the gym. Judging by the banner on the Village Green building, Boys and Girls Club Staff was appreciative.