Grants help CKI do more in communities

Grants help CKI do more in communities

Sep 6, 2024 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Service Leadership Programs | 0 comments

Six Circle K International projects receive Tomorrow Fund grants.

By Erin Chandler

Circle K International members are the next generation of servant leaders — and they’re already making a difference in college and university communities around the world. The Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the Tomorrow Fund to help these clubs implement more creative solutions to problems and make the greatest possible positive impact. 

This July, the Children’s Fund awarded Tomorrow Fund grants to six new CKI projects that will bring vital resources where they are needed most. 

Connect, Learn and Act for Disaster Prevention
Circle K International of Ashiya University, Japan
Ashiya University CKI plans to host a disaster-preparedness course for attendees of the 2025 CKI Asia-Pacific Conference. A Tomorrow Fund grant will go toward the fees for an expert-led lecture and workshop. The course will also include a tour of a disaster-prevention experience-learning facility. Ashiya CKI members hope the clubs that take part in the experience will be motivated to host similar courses in Asian communities that commonly deal with disasters such as earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. 

Literacy Kits Donation for Young Students
Circle K International of Pace University, New York, U.S.
A Tomorrow Fund grant will help Pace University CKI purchase backpacks, school supplies and hygiene kits to distribute to kids in need in New York City. CKI members will fill the backpacks with supplies and deliver them to schools participating in Jumpstart’s “Read for the Record” early literacy program. The school supplies, including copies of the book being read aloud during “Read for the Record,” will help engage kids in learning and reading, while the hygiene supplies will reduce absences and boost confidence. 

Leading for Literacy: Little Free Libraries
Circle K International of the University of Alabama, U.S.
University of Alabama CKI will use its Tomorrow Fund grant to help purchase kits with all the materials necessary to build Little Free Libraries at three area Title I schools. Through this project, kids whose families might not be able to purchase books will be able to build their home libraries, practice reading outside of school and develop their love of learning. The club plans to turn its Leading for Literacy book drive into an annual event that will allow club members to continually restock each Little Free Library.   

Community Book Fair
Circle K International of the University of Central Florida, U.S.
University of Central Florida CKI intends to increase literacy rates in its community’s public elementary schools by hosting a series of engaging, interactive book fairs. A Tomorrow Fund grant will help the club purchase books and school supplies, some of which will be available to students for free, and themed learning games. CKI volunteers will lead the games during the book fairs and donate them to the schools afterward. The club also intends to follow up with the participating schools, hosting storybook readings and providing tutoring where needed. 

Decorating Bags for Meals on Wheels and Senior Resources
Circle K International of the University of South Carolina, U.S.
The University of South Carolina will use its Tomorrow Fund grant to purchase paper and cloth bags for the local Meals on Wheels and Senior Resources programs, as well as art supplies to decorate the bags with messages and artwork. The bags will be filled with food for community members who struggle to afford groceries or to get to the store. CKI members hope the decorated bags will help fill both the nutritional and emotional needs of those who receive them.  

Once Upon a Time Literacy Service Project
Circle K International Florida District, U.S.
A Tomorrow Fund grant will help purchase supplies for the district-wide “Once Upon a Time” project to promote literacy at the 2025 CKI Florida District Convention. Participants will rotate through a variety of small service projects: making reading pointers, bottle cap letters, sight word flashcards, number flashcards, paper bag hand puppets, bookmarks and booklets. They will also write messages inside books that the Kiwanis Club of Avalon will distribute to local K-Kids. The project’s organizers hope to inspire young children to love reading and to inspire clubs to replicate these projects in their communities. 

How to get involved
Does your Circle K International group have a project idea that could benefit from a Tomorrow Fund grant? Learn more about the grant and how to apply. If your Kiwanis club does not yet sponsor a CKI club, learn about the advantages of chartering one.  

U.S. Kiwanian supports literacy abroad

U.S. Kiwanian supports literacy abroad

Sep 3, 2024 | General interest, Literacy, News, Service projects | 0 comments

Robin Handleman discusses her experience as a supporter of English-language literacy in Asia and beyond.

By Julie Saetre

Robin Handleman started serving her community when she was seven. As a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, a youth organization in the United States, she and her fellow members worked on service projects in a variety of areas. Now a member of the Kiwanis Club of Rockville in Maryland, U.S., Handleman carries her commitment to service into countries in Asia and beyond. 

It started with a connection she made during a Kiwanis conference. Handleman was serving as an elected official on her local board of education when a friend on the town council invited her to a Kiwanis club meeting. As a result of that meeting, Handleman joined the club and soon was elected club secretary. 

A teacher for more than 40 years — including experience as a reading teacher, a Home Hospital teacher and a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) — Handleman has taught and tutored students who learn in unique ways for the last 26 years. Her Kiwanis involvement led to her current mission: She has made several trips to Asia to teach ESL, establish English-language libraries and offer a variety of other services, including training teachers on how to make their lessons more fun and interactive.  

Handleman’s most recent trip was from January to June 2024, when she volunteered in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. She hosts Zoom meetings about her volunteer efforts and is busy raising funds to establish more English-language libraries in other countries.  

We asked Handleman a few questions to help share her experiences and to discuss what comes next. 

What was one of the highlights of this year’s trip to Asia?
This past March, I volunteered at the Kiwanis Children Centre, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Kuantan, Malaysia. It is a center for adults and children with varying abilities. That is the language I prefer, rather than children with special needs. I want to tell you what they can do instead of what they cannot do. 

The board of directors was thrilled with all the changes and improvements I made over the three weeks. To thank me for my volunteering efforts, they donated MYR2000 for my future volunteering projects. They hope other Kiwanis clubs will step up and donate as well. In their letter of recommendation to me, they stated: “To add a little wind to the wings of your volunteerism work, we would like to show our appreciation by paying forward MYR2000 for your future work. Thank you for being a conduit to deliver the contribution to where it’s needed most.” 

How did you become involved with service in Asia?
I went to a Kiwanis conference in Massachusetts. It was there that I met [the late] Binh Rybecki. She had received the Kiwanis Peace award. Her organization was Children of Peace International, or COPI. When she gave her acceptance speech, she said that she was always looking for teachers to be part of her humanitarian mission. The people at my table stood up, pointed to me and said that I was the teacher that she would want on her team. In 2006, I joined Binh on her mission in Vietnam. That was my first experience in Asia. 

Your first trip to Asia to teach ESL was in the fall of 2017. How did that opportunity come about?
I googled volunteer opportunities in Thailand. Why Thailand? I love Thai food! The Peace and Happiness Foundation came up, and I said to myself, “Who wouldn’t want to volunteer for a company named ‘Peace and Happiness Foundation?’” I saw they were looking for volunteers that were 25 to 40 years old. At the time I was 65, but I’ve always considered myself to be many years younger because of my enthusiasm and energy level. I did a WhatsApp video call with the head of the organization. She was impressed that I had 50 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language and teaching in general. She invited me to come volunteer.  

How did that experience go?
I was able to stay with one of the teachers in the school that I volunteered in. It was wonderful, because I was right in the village with the students, teachers and parents. I taught 27 first graders, and they were just too cute for words. I ended up staying there for two weeks. I was told I had an open invitation to come back whenever I wanted to because I was well received by the students and the school personnel. 

When did you decide to include establishing libraries as part of your ESL service?
From day one of volunteering in Asia, teaching English as a Second Language, the students loved the books I brought with me from America. I traveled with about 10 books. They especially enjoyed when I read to them. … They acted out the book by being the characters. Another activity they enjoyed was when I would bring brown lunch bags, and we would make puppets of the characters of the book. 

One of my advanced degrees is that of being a reading teacher. One morning I woke up, and the thought came to me about setting up libraries in the countries where I teach English. I asked my home club if I would have their support with this project. They said yes, and I knew I was on my way to having my dream come true. 

How many libraries have you set up?
I just completed the fifth library and eventually hope to set up three more. (I have volunteered in a total of 10 countries in Asia.) Presently there is one in Nepal, two in Sri Lanka, one in Malaysia, and the last one being in the Philippines. Many of the teachers follow me on Facebook. The number one question is, “Can we have more than one library in our country?” 

The reason why Sri Lanka was lucky to have two libraries was because the [head of the] shipping company that shipped the books from Maryland to Sri Lanka formerly lived in Sri Lanka. He was so excited that the children there were going to have this wonderful experience that he charged me a nominal fee for each box of books, so I was able to send double the amount of books, which then enabled me to set up two libraries. 

My intention is to complete three more libraries: in India, Pakistan and Cambodia.  

How has your Kiwanis family in Maryland supported your efforts?
None of these libraries could have happened if it wasn’t for the support I have from the Kiwanis clubs in Maryland and, most recently, one in Illinois. The first two libraries were supported by the Kiwanis Club of Westminster and the Kiwanis Club of Leisure World, Silver Spring, both in Maryland. My home club continues to pay for the shipping of the books from the port in Baltimore, Maryland, to Asia. The other Kiwanis clubs have made donations to my library for the last four years. This year, two more Maryland clubs joined to support my libraries: The Kiwanis Club of Wheaton-Silver Spring and the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda.   

In Indianapolis [Indiana, U.S.] I met a member from the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee, Illinois [U.S.]. We started chatting, and it was decided that I would do a Zoom meeting for her club. I was very pleased that they decided to make a donation toward my library in the Philippines. Thanks to technology, we connected, and the Kiwanis Club of Rosario la Union Managtulong, Philippines, was able to give the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee their certificate of appreciation on a Facebook Messenger video call. How awesome was that! 

I also have the support of friends and family, my Greater Federation of Women’s Club, and Books for International Goodwill, who continue to support my libraries as well. 

Make meetings and events accessible

Make meetings and events accessible

Aug 29, 2024 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

With new resources from Kiwanis International, you can help as many people as possible feel welcome at club events.

By Tony Knoderer 

When was the last time your Kiwanis club talked about making meetings, events and presentations as accessible to as many people as possible? If it’s been a while, don’t wait for someone else to mention it — start the discussion.  

Kiwanis International can help. In fact, we have some new resources for making participation easier for people of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities. A couple of how-to flyers are now available for download: 

  • How to Host Accessible Meetings & Events addresses everything from the layout of the room itself to meeting locations, accommodation of people’s mobility issues, vision and hearing challenges, language considerations and more. 

Another new how-to flyer can even help you become an inclusive leader in your district: See How to Start a DEI Committee in Your District for a step-by-step guide to planning, communication and implementation. 

All of these resources are now available at kiwanis.org/diversity — along with several other tools for information and inspiration. In addition, all three have been translated and posted to our Global Language Resources library. (They are the last three bullets under each language section.) If you know or work with Kiwanians where our supported languages are spoken, spread the word! 

In any language, it’s important to ensure that your Kiwanis club is more welcoming to more people — whether they’re current members, visitors or guest speakers.