Literacy as the vehicle of progress.

HQ Location: United States

Every day, over 139 million children are denied the right to go to primary school, a figure that increases significantly during adolescence. Founded in 1999 by former Microsoft senior executive John Wood, Room to Read operates in ten countries in Africa and Asia based on the conviction that investing in childhood literacy represents the best vehicle to facilitate learning and ensure participation in today’s global society. The organization partners with communities and local governments to promote literacy and gender equality in education by establishing libraries, constructing classrooms, publishing local-language children’s books, training educators and supporting girls’ education. To date, over six million children have benefited from Room to Read’s innovative approach.

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