Our Work in Kenya

We partner with schools and communities across Kenya to expand access to books and strengthen children’s literacy. Our programs include Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Literacy Bags, and Book Donations, giving students the resources and encouragement they need to read, learn, and succeed. By pairing new books and welcoming library spaces with teacher support and simple tools for families, we help turn access into daily reading and measurable learning gains.

Literacy in Kenya

In Kenya, children enter school eager to learn, but face significant barriers that prevent them from becoming confident readers. According to the 2023 Flana report, 3 in 10 Grade 6 learners and 2 in 10 Grade 8 learners cannot read at a Grade 3 level in English. Challenges include under-resourced classrooms, frequent language transitions between the mother tongue and English, and limited access to age-appropriate books. These factors contribute to a learning gap that often follows students into higher grades and beyond. Compounding the problem, only 23% of public primary schools in Kenya have libraries, with rural and peri-urban schools being the most disadvantaged.

With the transition to the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, literacy is increasingly recognized as a foundational life skill that can be developed through practical, engaging, and learner-centered activities. CBE shifts learning away from rote memorization toward fostering competencies such as problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking—skills that are best nurtured through a love of reading. These competencies align with the vision of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which positions education as a key driver of a fair, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Our programs directly address these issues by donating quality storybooks, establishing school libraries, distributing Literacy Bags, and providing training to educators and parents. Through these efforts, we aim to support children both in school and at home, enabling them to develop foundational reading skills, feel confident in their learning, and thrive in their educational journey.