Watford Rotary Distributes Dictionaries to Local Primary Schools

Watford Rotary Club recently continued its commitment to supporting literacy in the community by distributing dictionaries to the students at Beechfield School and Ascot Road Primary School. This long-running initiative, part of the Rotary’s “Dictionary 4 Life” project, aims to give every child access to their own personal dictionary — a valuable tool for learning, confidence-building, and language development.

Members of Watford Rotary visited both schools to personally hand out the illustrated dictionaries, which are specially designed for primary-age children. The students were delighted to receive their copies and wasted no time flipping through the colourful pages filled with definitions, word origins, and engaging illustrations.

Promoting Literacy and Lifelong Learning

Watford Rotary Youth Initiative Team Leader Emmanuel Akinbinu shared the motivation behind the project:

“We believe literacy is the foundation for a successful education. By giving children their own dictionaries, we’re not just providing a book — we’re empowering them to explore language, build their vocabulary, and discover the joy of words.”

The schools’ staff and leadership welcomed the initiative, highlighting the practical and symbolic value of the dictionaries. For many students, this may be the first book they can truly call their own, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their learning journey.

A Community Effort

Watford Rotary’s involvement in the local education sector reflects its broader mission of community service and youth support. The dictionary project is funded through local fundraising efforts and donations from club members and supporters.

Beechfield and Ascot Road join a growing list of schools in the Watford area that have benefited from Rotary’s literacy support. In total, the club has donated hundreds of dictionaries over the years, helping to strengthen reading skills and spark curiosity among young learners.

Looking Ahead

Watford Rotary plans to continue the distribution annually, ensuring that each new generation of students has the tools they need to thrive academically.

If you’d like to learn more about this project or support Watford Rotary’s work in the community, please contact the club at membership@watfordrotary.co.uk