Host of the Umoja Show, Cromwell Smith, announced the hosting of a spelling bee competition by the BVIRC to be held on September 8, 2012. Photo: VINO/File

Host of the show, Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka, said the group was hoping to have ten teams registered for the event with at least 3 persons per team. 

This year’s spelling Bee will be themed the “2012 Adults All Star Spelling Bee” and is reportedly only for adults above the age of 21 according to the host of the programme. 

In a GIS release sent previously to the media, it was stated that plans were also in place to have a book fair as well, which was scheduled to start on August 22, 2012 in celebration of the Organization’s 17^th anniversary this year. The theme of the book fair was “Race into Reading”. The BVIRC was hoping to sell 1000 books and in order to promote literacy and encourage the building of home libraries. 

Smith mentioned that the BVIRC is in need of funds and would welcome donations from members of the public. 

Persons interested in participating or making a donation can contact Lynden Smith at the BVIRC on 494-7739/40 or email lynden_smith@hotmail; she can also be found in the UNESCO office in the Ward building downstairs from the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. 

BVIRC in the past has been the distributor of an Annual Literacy Award in observance of International Literacy Day and has also been the beneficiary of donations from organizations such as the Rotary Club Sunrise and Ocean Conversion, where funds and books were donated as part of efforts to promote literacy in the community.