12 Literacy Programs and Charities
Literacy programs that support school education around the world
Imagine your life without reading. No, not because you don’t find the time to read. You just cannot… And imagine schools and homes without books, where there are little or no chances to get a proper education. UNESCO reveals a sad picture of global literacy rates: 757 million people worldwide, including 115 million youth, are illiterate.
A global problem – People who lack basic skills in reading and writing live mainly in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Moreover, World Literacy Foundation states that illiteracy is linked to higher rates of poverty, crime, and long-term illnesses. Undoubtedly, a better and happier world can emerge if we break the cycle of poverty and let everyone experiment with the power of knowledge.
Global and local solutions – Charity and nonprofit organizations try to turn this vision into a reality through literacy programs. Some need volunteers, while others look for funds or book donations. If you would like to join efforts for making a change, consider this list of 12 literacy programs and charities that promote literacy around the world.
Many literacy charities operate in a vast number of countries worldwide, thus making their services and resources available to wider groups of people.
1. World Reader
By delivering digital books to children and their families, WorldReader aims to improve the lives of the poorest. They have reached 69 countries and provided over 28,000 books in 43 languages so far. Their target is the developing countries, where people have limited access to reading materials.
Believing in the power of innovative technologies, they build mobile connectivity and digital platforms to bring eBooks everywhere. The offices of this non-profit are located in the US (San Francisco), Spain (Barcelona), Gana (Accra), and Kenya (Nairobi). This is one of the most recognized literacy programs.
2. Book Aid
The motto of Book Aid reveals its mission most clearly – “vibrant libraries, inspired readers, empowered communities.” With their staff based in London, Book Aid also has its representative in Nairobi, East Africa.
Since 1954, this charity has delivered over 31 million books to the libraries of Africa, Palestine and South Sudan. Book Aid does not merely provide books but also establishes Children’s corners and trains librarians. Hundreds of library workers have already received professional training to excel in their jobs and make a change in their communities.
3. World Literacy Foundation
No literacy, no poverty. The World Literacy Foundation is a non-profit organization aiming to help the most marginalized young people out of poverty through quality education and literacy.
World Literacy Foundation believes that reading and writing are essential skills to have personal and professional progress in life and open the doors of lifetime success. Its headquarters are in Australia (Melbourne), the USA (Columbia, Michigan) and the UK (Birmingham). Literacy programs are available for those who live in the USA and are deprived of the vital opportunity to acquire literacy.
4. 826National
Seven writing and tutoring centers are united under 826 National nonprofit organizations. The seven chapters are located in Ann Arbor/Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
Under-resourced students, from 6 to 18 years old, get the opportunity to develop their writing skills and enhance creativity owing to supportive tutors and innovative literacy programs – all free of charge. Strong writing skills, creativity, confidence and individuality – this is what 826 National calls the path to success.
5. BookHarvest
Believing that books help children succeed in school and life, BookHarvest aims to create home libraries by providing books to children, up to 18 years old, who live in Durham, North Carolina. They aspire to see houses rich with books, regardless of the income of the families.
BookHarvest provides preschoolers with free and age-relevant books via home visits and regularly delivers books to children who are at risk of summer learning loss. Since its foundation, the organization has donated over 350.000 titles.
Now let’s move to the European Continent and explore charity companies in the UK. Fortunately, a good number of them operate here to help both children and adults.
6. Read International
A student from the University of Nottingham travels to Tanzania and faces a lack of reading resources. As a result, READ International is founded in 2004 and is represented in England and Tanzania.
Though the organization has evolved significantly since then, its focus remained the same: provide Tanzanian secondary schools with educational resources. The organization not only provides schools with the books they need but also refurbishes old, unused classrooms into inviting libraries. The donated books by READ International to Tanzania count for 1.4 million, while the number of libraries created in schools has reached 76.
7. NALA
NALA is on a mission to create equal opportunities for adults with literacy and numeracy difficulties in Ireland so that they can fully integrate into social life.
Founded back in 1980, The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) has been addressing adult literacy issues through tutor training, distance education services and the development of teaching materials.
The literacy program is realized with the help of 1,500 paid tutors and over 2,400 volunteers. The impact of this independent charity is significant: currently, 54,000 adults attend literacy courses in Ireland.
8. The Reader
People in The Reader believe that reading in groups can be more beneficial, that’s why they bring people together to read stories aloud and listen to poems in welcoming environments.
Every week, The Reader reads to 2,000 people of all ages and backgrounds in a wide range of places: schools, workplaces, care homes, prisons, mental health wards, etc. This charitable social enterprise aims to make shared reading nationwide so that every person finds a place and a group to join in the UK. The enterprise operates in Liverpool and Wirral, but also organizes activities in London, Scotland, Wales.
We start gaining literacy skills in our childhood to be able to create a successful future later on. However, statistics report a discouraging picture for our kids: A 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress test found that 65 percent of fourth-graders read at a “below proficient” level. Fortunately, there are a vast number of charities and nonprofits which bring literacy and enlightenment home for children.
9. Reading is Fundamental
“Every child deserves a book to call their own”, states the team in Reading is Fundamental, located in Washington, DC. They bring the joy of reading to early elementary students across America, especially those who are from low-income communities and are at higher risk of falling behind.
RIF is driven by the idea that getting a book and owning it makes a difference in reading outcomes. And when this ownership is complemented by in-class activities and teachers’ support, the impact is even greater.
10. The Book Bus
Established by publisher Tom Maschler, The Book Bus drives books to children in Zambia, Malawi, Ecuador and India. The idea is innovative and beneficial: the Book Bus provides mobile library facilities and attractive story-telling to enliven the heroes and make children’s reading experience memorable.
The organization supports a group of five schools for three months. At the end of this literacy project, a new school library is opened and relevant books are provided.
11. Room to Read
Room to Read’s focus is on two main areas: literacy and gender equality in education. They cooperate with local governments in Asia and Africa to support primary school children to develop their skills and help girls to complete secondary school with skills necessary for making their own life choices.
Local challenges are easily fought as these literacy programs are run by local staff who know their communities, customs and language better than anyone. Room to Read has grown to operate in ten countries in Africa and Asia (Zambia, Bangladesh, Tanzania, etc.)
12. Pajama Literacy Program
Pajama Program wishes every child a good night with a new book and a new pajama! The story of this nonprofit began in 2001 after meeting children who had no idea they can take off the clothes they had been wearing all day long and wear a pair of pajamas while sleeping.
Pajama literacy program selects children, newborn to age 18, who have been emotionally or physically traumatized, neglected or abandoned. These children, living below the poverty level, have been deprived of a parent hug before bedtime, a clean pajama and a nice story. Pajama literacy program has chapters throughout the US, so it should be quite easy to find an office to visit and to donate to.
Biblioburro- The Donkey Library
In one of my last Spanish classes, we talked about education and local non-profit literacy programs in rural areas. It was an interesting topic, and later on we learned about the Donkey Library, the Biblioburro in the small town of La Gloria, Colombia. I thought it would be nice to include it into this list of literacy programs to show that passion and motivation can achieve a lot even though the means are limited.
Luis Soriano, is a teacher in that town but due to children spread around the area, many cannot afford or have the transport means to come to school. Luis, therefore, travels between the local communities and brings the books to the children on the back of his donkeys. There are not many books, but as you can see in the video, children are really looking forward.
Literacy Programs and Charities – Outlook
Summarizing our little tour of the best literacy programs and charities. Giving books is not merely about helping people; it is acknowledging that education is a basic human right that unlocks the door to a better life. In order to provide sustainable assistance, we need to be well-informed and choose a charity that speaks to our requirements and expectations.
Charity Navigator is a helpful tool to find a charity you trust and make your contribution to adults and children in any corner of the world. Charity Navigator’s reports present detailed information on a non-profit’s financial health, accountability and transparency so that you can make an informed decision before setting off on this rewarding journey.
How can you further improve your own literacy skills? You can take your learning skills a step further and learn how to speed read using software, enroll in an online course or boost your vocabulary and memory in general.
Please share this list or consider a donation to support literacy programs. Feel free to leave suggestions of other literacy programs and charities not listed here.