12 Dec 2017

Solomons' young leader awarded for improving adult literacy

8:31 pm on 12 December 2017

A Solomon Islander has been acknowledged for her work tackling low literacy rates among adults.

Millicent Barty

Millicent Barty Photo: Queen's Young Leaders

Millicent Barty conducted a survey and found that only 17 per cent of adults in her country aged between 25 to 60 are able to read and write.

Ms Barty uses traditional storytelling to educate and empower people through a project called 'Kastom Story Time'.

She said after studying abroad she noticed how poor literacy meant adults found it difficult socially.

"I realised my uncles and my aunties, it was really hard for them to participate in political debates and talk about issues that affect us daily and for me this was sort of the pivot for my project."

Millicent Barty is one of nine Pacific region winners of the Queen's Young Leaders award.