Swans raise their hands

Injured Swan Gary Rohan has raised his hand to help improve literacy and numeracy standards for Indigenous students.

So too has Lewis Jetta, an Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) ambassador, along with his Sydney Swans teammates.

Now it’s your turn.

Rohan raised his hand at this morning’s official launch of the annual ALNF Wall of Hands Indigenous literacy appeal – a national movement committed to improving the reading and writing skills of all Indigenous students.

Just one in five children in remote Indigenous communities is able to read or write at the minimum standard.

The Wall of Hands literacy appeal aims to change this unacceptable situation by raising much needed funds to deliver literacy programs in schools.

Since 1999, ALNF has worked with communities and schools around Australia to deliver the specialised programs needed to help thousands of Indigenous students write their own futures.

ALNF co-founder Kim Kelly says everyone can do their bit to help improve the situation.

“The statistics are often staggering, however, we can all do something very simple to turn the numbers around,” Kelly said.

“By joining the Wall of Hands campaign all Australians have the opportunity to raise a hand and help close the Indigenous literacy gap.

“Thanks to ALNF’s new partnership with the Out-of-Home (OOH) industry (whose outdoor media advertising campaign commenced today), wherever you stand in Australia, you will be encouraged to take part.”

It’s so simple to get involved. Go to www.wallofhands.com.au, raise your hand, make a donation and spread the word.

Funds raised will support life-changing literacy programs for children in the remote communities of Tennant Creek, Mungkarta, Elliott and Ali-Curung.

The 2012 Wall of Hands Indigenous literacy appeal will run until 9 September 2012.