Just over a month has passed since I sent a letter to V. W. Bro. Ray Laurance asking for assistance from the Grand Lodge Benevolence Fund to purchase the Lexia Foundation reading and Lexia cross trainer computer program for children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.

I had read about this program which had been sponsored in to many schools by the Freemasons of Northland and hailed as a worthwhile and outstanding success in that area.

My own 7-year old grandson has learning difficulties, and when the RTLB (Resource Teacher for learning and Behavior) introduced a loan copy of the Lexia program to the Waitakere school to run as a pilot demonstration to prove the potential advantages of the program, he was picked to participate. My wife and I were pleased as we have always tried to encourage our children and grandchildren in reading and learning.

After only few short weeks participation, we noticed a marked improvement in Jack’s reading ability and general attitude to learning. Other parents were also making encouraging comments about the program.

The problem, though, was that the school did not have the $1854 required to purchase the program – which led to my letter to the Divisional Grand Almoner requesting help. I was prompted to ask by the statement made at the recent Northern Division Communications at Te Rapa, ‘We have the funds. If you have a worthy project, we will help’.

The response was overwhelming. V. W. Bro. Ray Laurance suggested that if I could get our lodge to donate one-third of the finances required, he would work to arrange the balance from the Grand Lodge Benevolence Fund.

I put the motion to the Ara Taimau Lodge at our regular May meeting; it was seconded by V. W. Bro. John Caulfield and approved unanimously by the brethren.

Bro. Jack Leigh, Benevolence Officer, provided the necessary application forms and assisted in seeing that the correct information was entered. I am surprised at the rapidity of action from that point and learned that the money was available within a few short days. Thanks to Ray Laurance, Jack Leigh, and the Grand Lodge Benevolence Fund for their instant action.

Bro. Jack Leigh and I were most pleased to be able to make the presentation to Mrs. Denise Haven, Associate Principal of Waitakere Primary school on Friday 28^th May during the junior school assembly. We were later given a short demonstration of the computer program by one of the pupils who participated in the pilot program and had graduated from the program’s level -two.

- Worshipful Brother Don Carroll