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.
About Room to Read & Global Citizen
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.
Stories
Open Letter to Trump: Executive Order Erodes Trust in US Around the World
“When we succumb to fear, we surrender our humanity. “ Read more
How Roshanara Defied Her Parents and Said ‘No’ to Child Marriage
“What will you do with the education?” her mother said. “You only need to cook and clean.” Read more
This Girl Knows How to Handle a Street-Harasser
How a teenage girl in India rallied her community to put an end to sexual harassment on the street. Read more
Can You Read This? Nearly 780 Million People Around the World Cannot
We need to talk about worldwide illiteracy. Read more
This 9-year-old girl inspires others after opening "street library" in India
“Friendship with books leads to friendship with the world.” Read more
She snuck out to take exams after her parents burned her books…twice.
Tay Thi was a rebellious teenager who defied her parents by staying in school. Read more
A year after the Nepal Earthquake, a survivor finds strength at school
One schoolgirl tells her story of surviving disaster. Read more
For India's school girls, how one father's support gets multiplied
"Education is a lamp that can brighten a child's life" - Bhajnu father and education advocate. Read more
How Shabnam dared to defy her village in India and changed the future for all its girls
An inspiring young girl who dared to learn. Read more
How an army of women saved this Nepali girl from child marriage
Wedding crashing for all the right reasons. Read more