Today, millions of people across the globe are celebrating literacy in recognition of “International Literacy Day” as declared by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

It’s a day the organization uses to remind the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.

According to UNESCO, despite many and varied efforts, literacy remains an elusive target. “Some 776 million adults lack minimum literacy skills, which means that one in five adults is still not literate,” the agency stated.

Here in Jones County, 30 percent of the estimated 64,958 county residents (according to the U.S. Census) can be classified as “not literate.” That means about 19,487 Jones County residents fall into this category.

According to Mary Jo Blackledge, adult and community education director at the Pine Belt Education Center, they are “Level One” readers, meaning they cannot read well enough to function on a job.

“The more affluent counties in the state have similar numbers,” added Blackledge. “The rural counties tend to have a much higher illiteracy rate.”

Blackledge contends that anyone who reads may know someone who cannot read. Non-readers are some of the best actors in the world, said Blackledge. “If asked to read something, they may have conveniently forgotten their glass or something else,” she explained. “It’s very painful for them to admit they can’t read.

“It’s not only high school drop-outs that can’t read,” continued Blackledge. “Some have completed high school and still can’t read.”

One of them is 29-year-old Harold Cooley. A native of New Orleans, said he graduated from high school at age 18.

“They just passed me,” he said. “I got a diploma and everything. Knowing that I couldn’t read made me sad and mad. I didn’t know what to do or where to go.”

Last year, while walking in Sawmill Square Mall, Cooley spotted Blackledge who was there promoting literacy and reading classes held at Pine Belt Education Center. She asked Cooley if he knew somebody who couldn’t read and the rest is history.

“I came here and have been here since,” said Cooley, who now resides in Laurel. “They have helped me a lot. I can read things that I never could read before.

“I have a four-year-old son and I wanted to be able to read for him,” Cooley said as a broad smile formed on his face. “I want him to know that he can learn from his dad. I’m feeling real good now.”

So is 47-year-old Sonea Robinson of Raleigh. Robinson, who stopped attending school and returned twice, before finally calling it quits in the sixth grade, said she now finds joy in learning and reading.

“I was in special education classes, and we did a lot of playing games and things like that, instead of learning,” she said. “I always wanted to read, but never could.