Exploring the internet for library projects in developing countries has brought a sobering fact to light. I had no idea 250 million children cannot read or write in the world. It is great to see there are foundations that are trying to decrease this staggering number. I found three organizations that are committed to providing literature to children. Each of them help in different ways, but the end goal of gaining the ability to read is the same.
Room to Read is a non-profit group that helps developing nations create a friendly space for children to learn. This includes building libraries, schools, and computer rooms. In addition, the organization receives donations of books written in English. To help foster native languages, Room to Read publishes local books as well. Providing a place to learn and books alone will not help increase the amount of children learning to read. For that reason, Room to Read educates teachers and librarians on how to prepare students to read and write. Furthermore, the organization tries to inform students in developed countries about the inequities of schools around the world. Videos and print-outs help students become global minded citizens who can fundraise in a creative way. The organization primarily relies on texts, but is still helping children read.
World Reader is an organization providing e-readers to impoverished schools. The library of books is accessible through the Worldreader reading application. The foundation seeks out African and Indian authors to add to their collection. In addition, they translate and digitize book titles. World Reader has found that e-readers can reach more children over print books. The technology benefits new readers and vision impaired students with the text to speech function. Furthermore, the e-readers allow students to do a simple search in a dictionary or Wikipedia. World Reader helps expose children to reading through technology.
Lastly, Library for All is a group that works with schools in developing countries that already have existing technology. In these communities, the internet connection is not always strong enough to retrieve data normally. To remedy the problem, Library for All stores the books in the cloud with low bandwidth. The program can keep a record of the books read and the pages turned for the foundation to customize the library for the school. The platform has books for students from kindergarten to grade twelve. This includes textbooks, children’s and young adult books, non-fiction and reference materials. Library for All makes it easier for schools to have access to a wider range of literature for a more well-rounded education.
The three organizations all aim to teach children to be literate. The methods vary as do the environment of the developing nations. However, every group understands the need to have locally relevant books to facilitate the connections that will enable children to grow intellectually.
References
Bernard, S. (2008, January 11). Room to Read: Building libraries, schools, and computer labs in developing countries. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/global-education-libraries-developing-countries
Library for All. (2017). Our Library. Retrieved from http://www.libraryforall.org/our-library
Room to Read. (2018). Literacy & girls’ education. Retrieved from http://www.roomtoread.org/literacy-girls-education/
Worldreader. (2018). What we do. Retrieved from https://www.worldreader.org/what-we-do/
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