Co-founder of Room to Read talks literacy.
Literacy is something most of us take for granted. We were asked to imagine how our lives would be different if we could not read or write.
In a speech last week at the Clinton School Erin Ganju, co-founder and CEO Room to Read, reminded us of the power of literacy and the necessity to promote it in the developing world. Room to Read is active in many different countries, building libraries, empowering local authors and artists and developing early childhood education within local communities. Ganju emphasized educating the population as a big part of the solution to end global resource disparities.
A large part of Room to Read’s mission is to go beyond infrastructure and focus on building capacity, Ganju said. By way of innovative thinking and learning from mistakes, Room to Read has found its stride.
The organization trains local authors and illustrators to help address the large need for children’s books in the community. It also develops a sustainable plan with its partner schools to eventually phase out Room to Read’s involvement while the program continues to prosper, Ganju said.
Local citizens operate all of the locations and schools involved — a key element of Room to Read’s achievements. Ganju explained that the partnership has little success with organizations that aren’t initially excited and inviting of the program. The community has to initiate and desire the change.
Eighty-three cents of every dollar made or donated to Room to Read goes back to the local communities and their programs, Ganju said. The organization has grown into having its own publishing out-fit, providing role models for its students, building over 12,000 libraries around the world, and winning UNESCO’s 2011 Literature prize.
Video of Ganju’s lecture is posted online at www.clintonschoolspeakers.com.
This post was written by Clinton School student Maggie Carroll (’13).
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