Empowering Children Through Hands Across the Sea
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Mission Impact in Action
Editor's note: The following is a report on a program funded in part by the Rotary District grant written by Carol Hanson, International Services Committee, Rotary Club of West Chester.
As avid sailors, my husband Dennis Wallace and I have explored the eastern Caribbean for years. Amid its beauty, we’ve also witnessed a deeper issue — a widespread literacy gap. Many adults read at only a fourth-grade level, making everyday life a challenge. And when parents struggle with reading, it’s difficult for them to support their children’s learning, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
That’s why we were so moved when we discovered Hands Across the Sea, a non-profit working to transform childhood literacy across the Caribbean. Their mission is powerful: provide new, age-appropriate books and help schools create vibrant, well-stocked libraries.
After confirming the organization’s impact and connecting with local Rotarians in St. Lucia, we felt compelled to act. In 2016, we led a team of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of West Chester, Greater West Chester Sunrise, and Longwood Rotary to St. Lucia. There, we saw schools with libraries filled with moldy, outdated books — a far cry from spaces that inspire young minds. But in schools partnered with Hands Across the Sea, the change was unmistakable: clean, welcoming libraries, colorful book displays, engaged teachers, and students excited to read.
Hands Across the Sea doesn’t just drop off books — they build lasting partnerships with schools to ensure resources are used effectively. To date, they’ve delivered over 500,000 books to 140,000 children in the Caribbean.
Thanks to Rotary District matching grants, our local clubs’ support has gone even further, helping bring this vision to life.
This is about more than books — it’s about giving children the tools to dream, grow, and succeed. Through this partnership, we are helping to break the cycle of illiteracy and create a ripple of hope that will shape generations to come.
Together, we are making a difference — one child, one book at a time.