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Room to Read transforms the lives of millions of children through education, with the aim of creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. Today over 700 million people are illiterate, two thirds of whom are women and girls. Room to Read’s education programmes in low-income communities across 16 countries, spanning Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, seek to empower children with the gift of literacy.

Room to Read’s Literacy Programme creates independent readers and lifelong learners, who are breaking the cycle of generational poverty in their community. We publish culturally-relevant children’s books in local languages, using local authors and illustrators.

While schools have been closed due to Covid-19, we have broadcast literacy lessons on TV and radio to low-income communities across Africa and Asia. Almost half of the students out of school around the world have no access to the internet or computers at home. 

Sapana is a graduate of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Programme in Nepal. Today she is a nurse helping to save lives in her community during the pandemic. We ensure girls complete a secondary education to overcome gender discrimination in areas where early marriage is a major threat to their ambitions.