Room to Read

Right now 780 million people on this planet can’t read. Two-thirds of them are women and girls. We’re facing a global education crisis. By partnering with effective, innovative organizations like Global Citizen, we have a greater chance of ending global illiteracy and gender inequality in education. Literacy is a basic human right. Every child has a right to a quality education, which we believe has the power to lift entire generations out of poverty and to access their rights.

About Room to Read

We are an international NGO transforming the lives of millions of children in low-income countries across Africa and Asia by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, we target two critical milestones: literacy learning in first and second grades and a girl’s transition into secondary school. In 2015 we reached our goal of impacting 10 million children. By 2020 we anticipate reaching 15 million children.

Most Recent Stories
  1. Article: Open Letter to Trump: Executive Order Erodes Trust in US Around the World
    Citizenship

    Open Letter to Trump: Executive Order Erodes Trust in US Around the World

    Feb. 10, 2017|Room to Read

    “When we succumb to fear, we surrender our humanity. “ Read more

  2. Video: How Roshanara Defied Her Parents and Said ‘No’ to Child Marriage
    Education

    How Roshanara Defied Her Parents and Said ‘No’ to Child Marriage

    By Yosola Olorunshola|Nov. 29, 2016|Room to Read

    “What will you do with the education?” her mother said. “You only need to cook and clean.” Read more

  3. Article: This Girl Knows How to Handle a Street-Harasser
    Girls & Women

    This Girl Knows How to Handle a Street-Harasser

    Oct. 11, 2016|Room to Read

    How a teenage girl in India rallied her community to put an end to sexual harassment on the street. Read more

  4. Video: Can You Read This? Nearly 780 Million People Around the World Cannot
    Education

    Can You Read This? Nearly 780 Million People Around the World Cannot

    Sept. 8, 2016|Room to Read

    We need to talk about worldwide illiteracy. Read more

  5. Article: This 9-year-old girl inspires others after opening "street library" in India
    Education

    This 9-year-old girl inspires others after opening "street library" in India

    By Meghan Werft|July 6, 2016|Room to Read

    “Friendship with books leads to friendship with the world.” Read more

  6. Article: girl beats exams after parents burn books
    Education

    She snuck out to take exams after her parents burned her books…twice.

    June 15, 2016|Room to Read

    Tay Thi was a rebellious teenager who defied her parents by staying in school. Read more

  7. Article: A year after the Nepal Earthquake, a survivor finds strength at school
    Education

    A year after the Nepal Earthquake, a survivor finds strength at school

    April 25, 2016|Room to Read

    One schoolgirl tells her story of surviving disaster. Read more

  8. Article: For India's school girls, how one father's support gets multiplied
    Education

    For India's school girls, how one father's support gets multiplied

    March 24, 2016|Room to Read

    "Education is a lamp that can brighten a child's life" - Bhajnu father and education advocate. Read more

  9. Video: How Shabnam dared to defy her village in India and changed the future for all its girls
    Girls & Women

    How Shabnam dared to defy her village in India and changed the future for all its girls

    March 8, 2016|Room to Read

    An inspiring young girl who dared to learn. Read more

  10. Article: How an army of women saved this Nepali girl from child marriage
    Girls & Women

    How an army of women saved this Nepali girl from child marriage

    Feb. 12, 2016|Room to Read

    Wedding crashing for all the right reasons. Read more

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