Ensuring quality literacy learning

2020 was a challenging year for all, but the World Literacy Foundation (WLF) has just completed its first year of partnership with STEP and has had great successes in supporting families through education globally, having raised over GBP125,000.

The funds raised by STEP members have made our literacy projects possible and reached over 21,000 children in need of literacy support around the world.

Education is key to international development, and the foundation for sustainable development and literacy makes equality and greater employment opportunities possible. However, this was hampered by the pandemic. Over 100 million additional children will fall below the minimum proficiency level in reading because of COVID‑19.

Now more than ever, we believe that every child has the right to a high-quality education so that they can thrive, improve their life chances and lift themselves out of poverty. As STEP’s Private Client Awards charity partner for a further two years, we will use the generous and vital donations to invest in the education and literacy skills of vulnerable children worldwide, so that they can reach their full potential.

In Africa

Our partner in Africa, Sun Books, has supported 19,000 children in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. A grant will be used to purchase 300 Sun Books tablets and provide an e‑library to 250–300 classrooms, with access to 240,000 books. The e‑library focuses on children and classrooms without a single book and is designed to engage a child in reading in their early years. The e‑books and literacy activities on Sun Books are often presented in the local language and English; they are culturally relevant and so importantly provide fun interactivity and engagement for children in often remote and ‘off the grid’ areas.

In the UK 

Even before the pandemic, disadvantaged pupils in England were, on average, 18.1 months of learning behind their wealthier peers. Children in persistent poverty, defined as being on free school meals for more than 80 per cent of the time, were 22.7 months behind in England, the Education Policy Institute found. During lockdowns and school closures, learning losses were about 50 per cent higher in schools with a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our partner, UK Reads, brought literacy packs and free books, through community provision boxes, to thousands of families ‘locked down’ at home with little access to learning materials of their own. UK Reads also runs community literacy projects in disadvantaged areas and aims to give every child living in poverty at least one book to call their own.

In Colombia

Our partners at Aprende Leyendo provide weekly literacy tutoring sessions where children can practise reading and writing, play fun games and share a meal. Thanks to our donors and WLF Ambassadors, we could start the implementation of the WLF Dingo app, which combines innovative technology, e‑books, games and locally curated content to advance the learning of children with limited access to education and technology. We run English lessons during the school holidays and distribute books, school supplies and other resources within disadvantaged communities.

Follow our work around the world and donate at www.worldliteracyfoundation.org