The Library Project Funds First Classroom Library in South Africa
The Library Project is pleased to announce our first grant to Read to Rise, a South African nonprofit organization working to inspire children to read and strengthen literacy in under-resourced communities.
The grant will support a classroom library at an elementary school in South Africa, giving students greater access to high-quality, age-appropriate books directly in their classroom.
Bringing Books Closer to Children
Access to books remains a significant challenge for many children in South Africa. The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study found that 81% of South African Grade 4 learners could not read for meaning. Limited access to books at home and school makes developing strong reading habits even more difficult.
The Library Project works to address these challenges by bringing books and engaging literacy experiences directly to children in under-resourced schools.
With support from The Library Project, Read to Rise will establish a Classroom Library containing 50 new, age-appropriate storybooks and will be placed on a colorful bookshelf directly inside the classroom.
By keeping books within easy reach, students can read more regularly, while teachers can incorporate the collection into classroom activities and monitor students’ literacy development.
Our First Project with Read to Rise
This grant marks the beginning of a partnership between The Library Project and Read to Rise and expands our support for locally led literacy programs in South Africa.
“We are excited to begin our partnership with Read to Rise and support their work with children in South Africa,” said Tom Stader, Executive Director & Founder of The Library Project. “A classroom filled with books gives children opportunities to read every day. By working with Read to Rise, we can help put those books directly into the hands of students and support teachers as they build a stronger culture of reading.”
This partnership is part of The Library Project’s growing Global Partnerships initiative, through which we work alongside local nonprofit organizations that understand the needs of the children, schools, and communities they serve.
By combining local knowledge with additional resources and support, we can help expand access to books and literacy opportunities in communities around the world.
About Read to Rise
Read to Rise is a registered South African nonprofit organization founded in 2013 with a mission to create a nation of inspired readers. The organization promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities through interactive classroom literacy programs, classroom libraries, book ownership initiatives, puppet shows, and other activities designed to make reading engaging and enjoyable for children. Read to Rise believes that inspiring children to love reading can strengthen their educational development and help them reach their potential.
About The Library Project
The Library Project is dedicated to improving children’s literacy worldwide. We envision a world where every child has access to a quality education, and that starts with literacy. Since 2006, The Library Project has benefited 1,500,000 children, established 8,000 libraries, and donated 2,400,000 books.
Our programs include Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, Children’s Literacy Bags, Literacy Programs, Teacher Training, Parent Engagement Workshops, and Capacity Building for global literacy organizations. We support rural and urban schools, community centers, refugee camps, and homes. We work in over thirty countries throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
For more information, visit www.library-project.org.
