Penrose Rotary identified an untapped resource of active retirees who wanted to contribute in their communities, and created a community solution to support students with their literacy. The programme was funded and developed under their direction. REP was piloted in 1996 at One Tree Hill College, and is now in eight North Island schools.

REP continues to be led and funded through the Rotary Club of Penrose, along with a large number of donor organisations. While Rotary has an important leadership and linkage role, it’s not necessary to be a Rotarian to get involved with REP!