On 2nd Februari, USAID’s Readers are Leaders Project “Reading and Math are Fun” Celebrity Roadshow made its first monthly visit to Skopje City Mall where actor Gorast Cvetkovski entertained a crowd of children and their parents as the MC of this interactive educational show.

Famous actors, singers and sportsmen have joined the project team to promote the fun side of reading and math for more than 2,000 students and their families across all regions in Macedonia. In addition to the Roadshow, the project team offers a Magic Literacy Van, new age-appropriate learning materials and other creative activities for young students, their families and educators.

Though the Roadshow has visited more than 25 schools over the last three months, this is the first time it has held a session outside of the school setting. In a new partnership with Skopje City Mall, the Project team and local celebrities will now regularly welcome young students and their families one Saturday each month at the kids Club in the Mall.

“With this initiative we want to highlight the important role that we all play in helping young leaners to foster these basic skills, inside and outside of the classroom,” said Readers are Leaders Chief of Party Suzana Kirandziska.

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID works with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit USAID Macedonia Website and USAID Macedonia Facebook page.

USAID’s Readers are Leaders Project, implemented by the Foundation for Education and Cultural Initiatives “Step by Step” – Macedonia, is a 30-month (May 2013 – November 2015) initiative. The project improves early-grade students reading and numeracy skills, strengthens teachers’ pedagogical skills, and increases overall community recognition of the benefit of reading and numeracy skills for students’ intellectual growth. For more information about the project please visit Step by Step – Macedonia website.