Interact Clubs of Royal and Santa Susana high schools in Simi Valley recently received congressional recognition for their contributions to promoting peace and literacy in developing countries.

Club members created the international cause Peace and Literacy with the assistance and sponsorship of the Simi Valley Rotary Club and Simi Sunset Rotary Club.

The cause is dedicated to promoting peace and literacy in developing countries and to raise awareness and respect for cultural differences and similarities.

At the Rotary district conference, the Interact Peace and Literacy cause won the Rotary Chairman’s Award of First Prize.

Interactors raised money from donations for wristbands. Club members also raised public awareness regarding the significance of eradicating illiteracy as a means to promoting peace in developing countries. Proceeds from the Peace and Literacy cause provided care packages for deployed troops donated through the organization For the Troops of Simi Valley.

Interactors also donated money for school supplies for Afghan refugee children attending school at the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club School in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. More than 5,000 Afghan children attend the school, including 1,500 Muslim girls.

U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (RThousand Oaks) learned about the Interactors’ cause and awarded special congressional recognition to the clubs for their ambassadorial contributions to promote peaceful coexistence throughout the world.

The Peace and Literacy cause will now devote its fundraising efforts to support the PACE Universal, Piyali Learning Center in Kolkata, India. Club members intend to sponsor a girl to attend the school who would otherwise be sold into slavery.

Interact is a program of Rotary International and derives its name from the words International Action. The club provides an opportunity for young people to work together toward service and international understanding.

For more information, call Donna Prenta, Rotary New Generations representative, at (805) 404-0914 or e-mail tprenta@aol .com or visit the website www.rotarydistrict524.org.