Students enjoy fruitful story

YOUNGSTERS from the Lady Elizabeth Junior School enjoyed learning about the importance of the traditional grape harvest and the export of raisins at a special presentation.

More than 400 students met author Empar Ferrar and illustrator Cristina Duran, who backed by Benitachell town hall, produced the book ‘El Secreto de la Pasa’ or ‘The Secret of the Raisin’.

The book tells the story of the harvest and the process of drying the grape to produce raisins and their export – once a key part of the local economy.

Councillor for culture Jorge Pascual also attended the event and said it highlighted “the importance of telling this traditional industry to the families of residents who have chosen to live in our town.”

Sharing stories aims to boost brainpower

In neighbouring Benissa, social services have introduced an accompanied reading scheme for schoolchildren, aimed at improving their performance in school. ‘Accompaniment to Reading’ is a new project, which in conjunction with La Caixa, asks for adult volunteers to sit with a child for an hour a week. Aimed at youngsters between the ages of 9 and 12 years, the intentions are to reinforce self-confidence through reading and to improve social skills by being alongside the volunteers.

The activity will take place in the public library for one hour per week until the end of the school year, and volunteers will be taught to try and both stimulate and exercise cognitive aspects which improve attention, memory, creativity and imagination. Likewise, instilling the pleasure of reading will also be encouraged.

“With the programme 'Accompaniment to Reading', we deal with children who, thanks to the collaboration of volunteers – and of whom we are very grateful - will see their school performance improved and, more importantly, their self-esteem and social skills” said the councillor for social services, Manuel Juan.

As a matter of course, the volunteers have been subject to relevant security checks before engaging in the project.