Dear LitWorld Friends,

Today started quite typically for me - with a call from two inspiring LitWorld coordinators (Meera and Prasad) at Centre for Development (CfD) in Ahmedabad, India. Our conversation quickly turned to an expected topic: the ongoing pandemic.

Like so many of the grassroots organizations that LitWorld partners with, CfD works within communities that lack access to basic resources like education, housing, and healthcare. For these already underserved families, the spread of COVID-19 and worldwide shutdowns have had dire consequences.

“Families rely on daily labor to put food on the table,” Meera and Prasad shared. “And for many kids in our LitClubs, schools often provided their only meal for the day."

Yet despite these challenges, their message was not one of despair. It was one of hope, strength, and determination.

Since the pandemic, LitWorld’s partners like CfD have been quick to respond to their community's needs. Our mentors and coordinators are delivering educational LitClub materials alongside necessities including soap, jugs of water, masks, sanitary pads, and emergency food like rice and beans. Meera calls older LitClub members and helps them advocate for government assistance. As of this week, some have even resumed LitClub meetings at half-capacity, keeping six feet apart and wearing masks, so that children can feel educationally and emotionally supported and understood amidst this crisis.

“Our families and our children are resilient,” Meera and Prasad continued. “We can get through anything, no matter how difficult.” And thanks to supporters like you, LitWorld is with them every step of the way. With your help, we can continue providing our kids around the world with the support they need now more than ever.