Founded in 2000, Room to Read’s mission is to nurture foundational learning skills in children. Our contextualized approach develops children’s literacy and life skills in a dignified and gender-equal way. We nurture these essential skills in children by training and coaching educators, creating quality learning materials and spaces, strengthening education systems, and delivering programs directly and with partners — all while honoring the dignity of every child.

Quality education is an inherent human right and yet:

• More than 773 million people cannot read; two-thirds of these individuals are women and girls.
• Among 10-year olds living in low and middle-income countries, seven out of ten cannot read and understand a simple text and are considered to be living in learning poverty.

Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow — creating lasting change.