At Room to Read, we believe that everyone has a role to play in promoting literacy and gender equality in education in developing countries. To that end, we work with youth from around the globe who want to do their part by helping them raise awareness and funds in their own community to support Room to Read’s work in Asia and Africa. This Students Helping Students program, as we call it, now spans across 30 countries, and more than 600 student teams have supported our cause since 2004. From Girl Scouts to graduate students, these teams are made up of passionate advocates and rock star fundraisers—having raised more than US$360,000 for our work in 2011 alone.
One of our most active teams, from the American School of Dubai, recently wrapped up their 2011 fundraising efforts to the tune of over US$10,000! Read on to learn how they managed such an impressive feat and what made them want to be involved with Room to Read in the first place.
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Club Room to Read at the American School of Dubai (ASD) has been very busy the last few months. Students of all ages are standing up for literacy and gender equality in education, and seeing some serious results. Last year alone they raised US$10,000—one of our biggest student donations of the year!
One secret to their success is their innovative “Room to Read Café” fundraiser. About 5 times a year, ASD student plan and staff “Café Days” held at a local establishment. The students design special menu offerings and assist wait staff in serving clientele. For their efforts, a portion of the day’s proceeds are donated to Room to Read.
In addition to these Café Days, ASD students have also hosted a number of other events, including book sales, talent shows, competitive stacking games and a writing competition—all to celebrate literacy and support our work in Asia and Africa!
ASD students say they support Room to Read because the organization’s mission aligns with something they are personally passionate about: educating those who are less fortunate.
“Your education is something nobody can ever take away from you; it’s yours to keep”, says student Andrea Izem Yener. Participating in Students Helping Students, she says, “has definitely made me appreciate what I have more.”
Congratulations to all of our ASD student supporters and a special shout out to writing contest winners Anjika Bhatnagar, Amaar Qureshi, Olivia Quern and Rohan Khanna. All of your hard work and energetic support is helping Room to Read to change the lives of millions of students in Asia and Africa!
Stay up to date with the latest information about Students Helping Students on Facebook.
Aphiwe Dyobhiso is a bright, friendly student at Mpongo Farm School in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. At 12 years old, the fourth grader—like many of her peers in South Africa—lags behind grade level in reading and writing, but her teachers are quick to point out that her latent literacy skills don’t stop her from participating in school. She enjoys storytelling exercises and works hard to keep up with her classmates.
One day during a visit to the Mpongo School Library established by Room to Read, the librarian read aloud to the students from a book called Kutheni Gugu about a mother’s struggle with HIV and AIDS.
It was clear right away how much Aphiwe loved the story, and as weeks went by the librarian noticed that she continued to check it out every library period. Despite her difficulty reading, Aphiwe would patiently sit down with the book, going from beginning to end meticulously and learning the words. She also began to recommend the book to her fellow students.
Aphiwe’s teachers and the school’s principal, Ms. Nontando Tata, were surprised at this turn of events, and it was not until learning more about the girl’s background that they understood her fascination with Kutheni Gugu.
As it turned out, Aphiwe’s mother had passed away from AIDS the previous year, leaving her to live in a one-room house with her great-grandmother and three other relatives. The story of Kutheni Gugu has helped her process her family’s tragedy and see that she is not alone in the experience.
Ms. Tata hopes that this newfound interest in reading combined with some extra help this school year will allow Aphiwe to catch up with her peers. Through a new program at the library, “Reading Buddies”, Aphiwe will be paired with an intermediate-level reader in her class that can help her to sound out the words and sentences until she becomes more comfortable reading on her own.
In addition to providing children of families affected by AIDS in South Africa with a relatable story to enjoy, books like Kutheni Gugu are also instrumental in turning the tide against the disease by helping children develop a love of reading and learning. Studies show that a child who finishes primary school is 50% less likely to contract HIV, extending the benefits of a fully-stocked library and well-trained teacher-librarians far beyond the schoolyard gates.
To learn more about our School Libraries and our work in South Africa.
The sun was shining brightly over Vietnam's Long An province on October 16 and over Can Giuoc Secondary School. Sundays are normally quiet on school grounds, but this is an exception—with more than 40 graduates of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education program on campus for the annual alumnae meeting.
All of the attendees have completed secondary school and most are scattered among colleges and universities in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Each year, our team invites these girls from four provinces to return to the local high school for a meetup, to share successes and swap advice on school, friends, love and life away from home. Through these meetings, the young women are able to retain connections they made in secondary school and refresh what they learned through the program.
The day’s activities began with an exercise in reflection and goal-setting called Vẽ lại “cây cuộc đời (the tree of life). Each one of the young women was given a blank outline of a tree and art supplies, with instructions to add flowers and fruit to represent personal success, leaves for future goals, worms for obstacles and roots for motivation. The girls then shared their experiences with the rest of the group—including Room to Read staff.
One scholar, Nguyen Thi Yen Xuan spoke of how the life skills training she received had helped her achieve greater independence: "I have gained a scholarship for university, learned how to use a computer and become more confident compared to my classmates."
Another girl, Vo Thi Kim Tram, agreed. “I have gained interpersonal and leadership abilities,” she said. “I know how to set clear objectives for every activity and how to prioritize well.” She also shared her motivation to continue in school with the group. “My sister only completed grade two," she said solenmly. "I have to do more.”
After sharing their stories, the girls reflected together on the mutual challenges they have faced since graduation and those that lie ahead, including transportation, finding accommodations and balancing school with work.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong voiced her frustration that her journey to school every day requires a commute of more than 2.5 hours. Another girl, Nguyen Thi Cam Giang, who takes three separate bus trips to get to school each day, was comforted to hear that other girls had experienced struggles similar to hers.
After the sharing period, the young women were led in a resume writing workshop by our local team and discussed their individual career goals. Girls like Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thao, who just graduated with honors in Intermediate Medicine, provided inspiration for others like Tran Thi Cam Hong who currently works eight hours in a factory every day and studies accounting in the evenings.
For our Girls’ Education program team in Vietnam, these alumnae meetings are not only a chance to catch up with former scholars, but also to see their hard work in action. Every day, throughout the surrounding provinces, these girls are putting their education and life skills training to use. They are confident, empowered young women and role models in their communities, armed with the tools they need to succeed.
Learn more about our Girls’ Education program and meet some of our Girl Graduates.
This post is part of the ongoing series, Show and Tell, where we bring you photos and stories collected by Room to Read team members on the road.
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Today’s show and tell comes from Danielle Reichner, senior global program operations officer.
Along with colleagues John Beaulieu (regional director for Asia) and Steve Wisman (director of international operations), Danielle had the chance to visit a Room to Read library in the Tieu Can District of Vietnam's Mekong Delta earlier this month.
Danielle sent back these photos from her visit:
Learn more about our School Library program and our work in Vietnam.
“Elephants are coming! Elephants are coming!” Hundreds of young voices shout in chorus, the excitement palpable. But these are not just any elephants—they are four-legged libraries!
In Laos, the Asian elephant has long been a national symbol. Since ancient times, the loveable giants have been extremely useful—from battlefields to agricultural fields—but now they’ve found a new home on the endangered species list.
In an effort to both increase public awareness of the elephants’ plight and support literacy in rural communities, Room to Read Laos teamed up with two other NGOs (Action with Lao Children and ElephantAsia) as well as the local government to implement the first ever Elephant Mobile Library.
The perfect mode of delivery for remote communities, the Elephant Mobile Library has been an instant hit. Stocked with 640 Lao-language children’s books (many featuring elephants) and supplementary educational materials, the library’s maiden voyage included four primary schools that serve more than 1,000 students in the northern province of Xaybouly.
Today, the Elephant Mobile Library has made its way to one of those very schools, greeted by hundreds of young readers. As the elephants enter the school gates, scores of students line up dutifully—eager to get a closer look at their unusual guests. With bright eyes and wide smiles, the youngest students strain to wait their turns, bouncing up and down with excitement. Our team is surprised when none of the students seem afraid of the giant creatures, carefully approaching the elephants one-by-one, and accepting a book from the “librarians” seated atop them.
The day’s events continue with literacy games, songs, storytelling circles and comprehension exercises lead by the Room to Read team, all with a focus on elephant conservation and what individuals can do to help these creatures thrive. It’s clear from the laughter ringing through the air and enthusiastic participation that for these young readers, the Elephant Mobile Library is a welcomed addition to the curriculum.
Learn more about our School Library program and other innovative in-country partnerships.
“I want to lead a worthwhile life, and I know for sure that my education will take me places,” says 15-year-old Phulmati Tharu, but her future hasn’t always looked so bright.
At the age of eight, Phulmati was forced to leave the second grade, her family and everything else she’d ever known to enter a new life as an indentured servant for a family wealthier than hers in a village far away. She spent four long years as a Kamlari—an illegal but culturally accepted practice in some parts of Nepal by which parents enter a contract to have their daughters work as bonded laborers. As a servant in Nepalgunj for a family of five she was expected to work around the clock, leaving no time to attend school. “Those were indeed dark days,” she says.
Then, in 2008, Phulmati received some very good news. The local government and several nonprofits in the area were cracking down on indentured servitude and called back hundreds of girls working as Kamlari. “Coming back home after four arduous years of labor was a memorable moment,” says Phulmati of her return. “I recall walking down the lane to my house and seeing all of my family members who had gathered to welcome me back.”
After her rescue, Phulmati was accepted into Room to Read’s Girls’ Education program, and immediately began an intensive bridge course to help her catch up to grade level. She finished the bridge course, which normally takes 6-9 months to complete, in just four months—driven to use her second chance in school to create a better life for herself.
“One day when I was working as a Kamlari in Nepalgunj,” she recalls, “I had to do all the grocery shopping and felt ashamed that I couldn’t do simple addition.” She believed she had been shortchanged, but couldn’t be sure. “At that moment,” says Phulmati, ”I realized how important education was, and made up my mind that if I should ever go to school again, I would make the best of that opportunity.”
Now a seventh grader at Shree Prithivi Lower Secondary School, Phulmati has become a dedicated student and avid reader. “I was devoid of the company of the books for four years,” she says. “Our school now has a beautiful library with scores of books that have helped me a lot to progress in my studies.”
And that’s not all that has changed in her life. Phulmati says her family now supports her 100 percent in pursuing her education. Two years ago, when her school partnered with Room to Read’s School Construction program to add more classrooms, her brother was first in line to volunteer labor to the project.
“He dedicated most of his time to constructing the new building, even though he had other commitments,” she recalls. “He said that no sister of his belongs in a school without decent buildings.”
Learn more about our Girls’ Education and School Construction programs.
“I work as teacher because I love children,” says Kea Dino, a bright 22-year-old from Kampong Thom, Cambodia.
Her enthusiasm for teaching is palpable immediately as is her dedication. In addition to working as a teacher and librarian at a local school, Dino is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting at nearby Kampong Thom University.
Given all of her existing commitments, Dino knows that her decision to join Room to Read earlier this year as a field facilitator for the School Library program might come as a surprise to some. “I want to share my experiences and knowledge with other librarians,” she says of her newest endeavor.
Born one of three children to an illiterate mother and a father who works as a soldier, Dino knows first-hand the power of a good education. Despite her full schedule, she remains optimistic about her work, calling each of her jobs in its own way an “agent of country development”.
In her new role as field facilitator, Dino’s primary responsibility is to follow up with completed libraries that are under Room to Read’s three year period of support—providing both technical assistance and training to ensure the project’s long-term success. As an added bonus, the site visits provide an opportunity to see up-close the impact each library is having on students’ reading habits. “I am happy when I hear them telling stories and singing songs, and especially to see them able to read,” she says.
Before starting as a facilitator Dino had her share of doubts. “I was really enthusiastic to start the job, but worried about failing—thinking I might be unable to do the work well,” she recalls. “I was also concerned about my personal security traveling long distances to visit many schools in the area.”
As time went on, though, encouragement from her parents and extensive training from Room to Read gave Dino the confidence she needed, and “my fondness for children,” she says, “gave me courage.” She is now an extremely successful facilitator and relishes the opportunity to use her personal experience as a librarian to help the communities she works with.
“This is my dream—to help young children develop a habit of reading,” says Dino confidently, and it seems she’s already on her way to making that dream come true.
Learn more about our School Library program and our work in Cambodia.
A noted American historian once said, “Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.” We couldn’t agree more!
In addition to helping children become independent readers and lifelong learners, one of the greatest benefits of a quality education is its power to expand children’s minds to a world of possibilities they never knew existed. Thanks to your support, six million children across the developing world now have access to such educational opportunities, and for this we couldn’t thank you enough.
But you don’t have to take our word for it…we met up with some of the children we work with (and their parents) to hear what they wish for now that they are getting the education they’ll need to turn their dreams into reality.
So sit back, press play and get ready to meet some of the young people whose lives have been forever changed thanks to you. From all of us at Room to Read, thank you for helping make wishes come true.
And for those of you still busily engaged in holiday shopping, don’t forget about our Holiday Wish List! Each gift you make in someone’s honor comes with a customizable e-card, and thanks to a few longtime Room to Read supporters, your gift will be matched up to $700,000! Unwrap World Change this holiday season, and start the new year off right.
Learn more about our programs and where we work.
