Partners

Looking Ahead: Innovation Partnerships

LitWorld has always been an organization of new ideas.

From our innovative community-based approach to our LitClub and LitCamp programs that have revolutionized social-emotional learning, LitWorld has been breaking new ground since the very beginning. Now, we’re ready to lead the way once again with our newest initiative: Innovation Partnerships.

Launched earlier this year, Innovation Partnerships are the next step in widening both the reach and impact of LitWorld’s work. Thanks to this new partnership model, not only are we able to continue running vital LitWorld programming throughout our partner communities, but we can also work with partners to explore new ways of creating change. In doing so, we can continue pioneering the best practices for teaching, enriching, and transforming young lives everywhere.

The Innovation Partnership Model

Our new partnership model divides LitWorld's existing partners into one of two equally important groups: Network Partners and Innovation Partners.

Network Partners

Network Partners will continue to run LitClubs, LitCamps, and more throughout their communities, all while enjoying access to LitWorld’s trainings, resources, and wide network of partners. Through this, our Network Partners can continue their dedicated work bringing the joy of LitWorld’s life-changing programs to more kids and families than ever before.

Innovation Partners

Innovation Partners are a select group of partners that will not only continue to run in-depth LitWorld programming, but will also collaborate with LitWorld to test new ideas and programs (called "Innovation Projects") designed to solve the unique needs of their communities. Through these Innovation Projects, we can work together with our partners to discover the most effective ways of creating lasting, sustainable change—and then bring those discoveries to communities everywhere.

Innovation Projects Around the Globe


Centre for Development, India

To combat gender inequality within their community, our partners at Centre for Development (CfD) launched their Innovation Project: a two-day workshop to unite and strengthen women in their communities.

The workshop allowed both Hindu Dalit and Muslim women (two groups with a history of “hatred and violence against each other”) to bond over their shared experiences of poverty, discrimination, and sexual violence, as well as learn valuable lessons on leadership and menstrual hygiene. According to coordinators at CfD, “[These women] are no longer the same persons they were... over the two days, they could reflect about themselves and discover the tremendous strength that lies deep within them.”

Ready for Reading, Rwanda

After noticing that many students were dropping out of school due to low morale and disinterest in a “boring classroom methodology”, our partners at Ready for Reading in Rwanda launched an Innovation Project to help teachers reduce the rate of school dropouts within their community.

By educating teachers about the LitWorld 7 Strengths and how to integrate them into the curriculum, these teachers can keep their students interested and engaged throughout their learning. The first training session took place in April with several teachers from Abadahigwa primary school, and our partners have been hard at work continuing to reach even more schools within the community.

The Impact of World Read Aloud Day

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Why are read-alouds such an essential part of LitWorld's work? The answer is simple: Reading aloud is one of the most powerful tools for change that we have. When we read aloud with others, we are not just strengthening our literacy skills and bringing communities together. We are also creating a culture of confident, engaged learners who know the power of their own voice.

That's why, on the first Wednesday of every February, LitWorld spearheads
World Read Aloud Day celebrations around the globe.
Founded by LitWorld in 2010, World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) honors the transformational power of reading aloud and the importance of literacy as a foundational human right.

Now approaching its 13th year, read below to learn about the fascinating history of World Read Aloud Day—and how it is helping expand the definition and scope of global literacy.

THE HISTORY OF WRAD

As with most things LitWorld, the idea for LitWorld’s signature annual advocacy day came from a child. After a special read-aloud with his class, a student asked, “Why don’t we create a birthday party for the read aloud?” And so we did!

On March 3, 2010, LitWorld launched the first-ever World Read Aloud Day with events across New York City, including a read-aloud at the Polo Grounds by award-winning author Kwame Alexander. The impact was felt worldwide, with advocates from India, Australia, Ghana, Kenya, Austria, Iraq and beyond all working to help share the celebration with their communities.

After the success of this first celebration, World Read Aloud Day quickly began to take the world by storm. From month-long celebrations by our partners at Museo Rayo in Roldanillo, Colombia to Nal'ibali's monumental annual campaign across South Africa, educators and children around the globe eagerly gathered together for the chance to read, listen and connect.

Today, World Read Aloud Day has become a celebration involving millions—and the movement only continues to grow. From celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Sarah Jessica Parker to students of all ages, World Read Aloud Day helps us all celebrate the unique impact of sharing stories—building a global movement for literacy, empathy, and joy.

*2021

The key to our work: 15 years of partnerships

What is the secret that makes LitWorld’s programming so impactful? The answer is simple: our deep, personal relationships with the communities we serve.

At LitWorld, we know there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning. That is why we partner closely with local, grassroots organizations who understand the unique languages, cultures, hopes, and dreams of their community members. By working together as equals, we can provide the custom support needed to help children everywhere reach their full potential—and create change for generations to come.

Our Partner History

When LitWorld first began in 2007, it was with a single LitClub in Kibera, Kenya. Since then, we have partnered with over 50 organizations across over 30 countries. This extensive network of on-the-ground partners is what makes our work possible, bringing our programs to children and communities around the globe.

OUR LOCATIONS SINCE 2007

Afghanistan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, United States, Uganda, Zambia, and more*


Join LitWorld Live

Help LitWorld celebrate 15 years by joining us every Thursday for special live events including workshops, interviews with our partners, and more! Check out our next event below, and click here to view the full schedule.

MEET OUR PARTNERS

Join the LitWorld team this Thursday at 12PM ET for the next event in our live series: A Day in the Life! Tune in via Facebook or YouTube to meet our longtime partners at Kenya Connect and experience the impact of our work in Kenya firsthand.

Missed last week's event? Click here to watch the recording of Discovering LitClubs with artist Tina Villadolid and discover the magic of LitClubs for yourself!

Stories from the Field & Our World Read Aloud Day Impact!

Stories from the Field

At Ready for Reading in Rwanda, LitMom Claudine Uwase shared how the read-alouds in LitMom Clubs with mentor Athanasie have inspired her to to take a more active role in her family, strengthening a new generation of learners.

“Before joining the LitMom's Club, l didn’t read with my kids—not because l didn’t have time, but because I didn't know it was important. After joining LitMom's Club, I've gotten to know the importance of connecting with my kids through stories. I had considered reading with kids as a very hard task that required higher education and experience. I didn’t think that it can be started small by reading picture books... [But] I can testify that these activities are helping my family be close and stay connected.”

- Claudine

Mentor Athanasie working with local mothers during a LitMom's Club session.


Our Impact Together

This February, millions of readers and writers joined together for a truly inspiring 13th annual World Read Aloud Day! Check out a few of the big numbers below, and click here to learn more about all of the many incredible celebrations that took place around the globe.

Our 2021 Impact with Storiarts

Guest post by our sponsor Storiarts. To learn more about our partnership with Storiarts, click here.


Words have the power to comfort and inspire change. Our literary-themed products allow booklovers like you to connect to and share the words they love most. But the power of words doesn't end there. Every purchase from Storiarts supports our partnership with LitWorld to make literacy accessible to kids around the globe. 

Last year was a test of worldwide resilience. But despite the obstacles, LitWorld's efforts to promote reading, writing, and storytelling were undeterred. We are grateful to report that you helped make an impact for good!

THANKS TO YOUR PURCHASES IN 2021, WE WERE ABLE TO:

  • Support an entire year of programming in and around Nairobi, Kenya with Kenya Education Fund. This allowed the partner organization to run fifteen LitClubs, including boys', girls', teens' clubs and programming for moms. Kenya Education Fund directly serves over 300 children every year.

  • Provide materials to the moms' LitClubs in Pakistan, which run together with an entrepreneurship and empowerment program for the moms at the Nanjina Sewing Center. The women receive sewing training, as well as materials for sewing, in order to support their families. This program supported sixty families in 2021.

  • Fund our partners in Pakistan, allowing them to deliver books and writing supplies, along with hygiene products and basic provisions, to children and families when they needed it most. Also, supported the moms' LitClub in sewing thousands of masks that were distributed across the communities to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

  • Provide much needed program materials and books to our partners in the Philippines, allowing them to deliver LitClub lessons for over 200 children, along with meals and necessities to families in quarantine.

  • Supply materials for the World Read Aloud Day celebration in Colombia, where the weekly "Read Aloud" campaign involves over 8000 participants to celebrate the power of reading aloud.

  • Sponsor the launch of the Public Library Project in Livingstone, Zambia by holding library staff trainings, purchasing of books for 165 members, and other materials for community and child-friendly environment.

Another Amazing World Read Aloud Day!

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Thank you for an amazing World Read Aloud Day!

Last week marked the 13th annual World Read Aloud Day, and we are blown away by just how huge this year's celebration has been!

From Kenya to Colombia, here's how readers, writers, and storytellers like you joined together to make this World Read Aloud Day one of the most incredible yet.

This year, we asked you to share your stories and you answered in droves! See the results of our 'Build A Story' challenge here, and watch us build a story live with classrooms around the world here.

You celebrated online!

With #WorldReadAloudDay trending at #10 on Twitter, here are just a few moments from the day that warmed our hearts!

"Ms. Cosentino was caught reading to Class 2-310! PS75 just loves to celebrate World Read Aloud Day! Thanks Ms.Yadira Lopez for organizing this school wide celebration."

- @TheraErickson

(Translated) "Books take you to wonderful places with unique characters... On World Read Aloud Day, I invite you to share your favorite stories with your family!"

@cuentacuentosemma

"Author action shot from World Read Aloud Day! Is it weird that I have as much fun with this as the kids?"

- @sjsubity

"An author visit with @walkerelam felt like 'the kind of hug that wraps around you like a sweater.' Thank you so very much for sharing your story with us on World Read Aloud Day."

- @brawninthebooks

You read aloud all over the world!

In addition to World Read Aloud Day, LitWorld works year-long to promote the power of stories by supporting our partners around the globe. Check below to see just a few of their celebrations!

To learn more, click here to read our exclusive interview with Publishing Perspectives about our work and how we are creating lasting change in countless communities through our new 'Innovation Partnership' model.

"Seeds of Hope Foundation celebrated World Read Aloud Day in the Bhathna community... The LitClub and community members participated very enthusiastically in the celebration."

- Seeds of Hope, Pakistan

"[We] celebrated World Read Aloud Day in style! Protais read aloud Bwenge n' Utunyugunyugu written by Ndahayo Ferdinand and illustrated by Uwera Perpetue."

- Ready for Reading, Rwanda

(Translated) "With the support of LitWorld, a variety of activities focused on reading were carried out in 9 communities of the Cangrejal River in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day."

- Un Mundo, Honduras

"Teacher Katherine read The Hungry Caterpillar and engaged the students in learning about the lifecycle of the butterfly... Dancing, singing, and reading were all part of the celebration."

- Kenya Connect, Kenya

Want more? Make sure to follow us on social as we continue to shine the spotlight on celebrations near and far!

Celebrating and Supporting Women Who Lead this Mother’s Day!

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Mother’s Day is less than a week away, and this year we are celebrating by shining a light on some of the many incredible women in our LitWorld family who help their communities stay strong - through COVID-19 and beyond!

From sewing and distributing face-masks to reading aloud with children and creating a new generation of leaders, we are beyond thankful for these role-models and honored to support their journeys with Moms LitClubs.

Kenya Connect, Kenya

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Laughter and chatter filled the room during the last Moms LitClub session at Kenya Connect as LitMoms worked together word-by-word to tell a story, then used book illustrations to create their own stories! Afterwards, each LitMom borrowed a picture book to replicate the activity with their children and grandchildren, passing the knowledge and joy on to the next generation.

According to LitMom Anna, "The skills that I have acquired from LitClub have made me a teacher, and I am very confident that I can now teach my grandchildren... I have gained so much interest in reading. Whenever I go out to graze my cattle, I carry a book with me. What we are doing in Moms LitClub is really helping me a lot."


Seeds of Hope Foundation, Pakistan

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In the wake of COVID-19, LitMoms at Seeds of Hope Foundation took action by starting a friendly sewing competition to make face masks! Safia and Anum won with 230 and 150 masks made respectively, which they distributed to the community for free.

Safia told our partners that "she is really grateful to LitWorld and Seeds of Hope Foundation for giving her this opportunity to use her skills for the betterment of humanity in such a crucial circumstance." She also added that "in this epidemic, everyone needs to be optimistic and to act courageously to fight against this adversity."


Ready for Reading, Rwanda

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When LitClub mentor Sylvie was unable to join other Ready for Reading LitClub members for World Read Aloud Day this February, she did not get discouraged. Instead, she celebrated at her own home and led a read aloud with her family, encouraging a culture of learning and joy!

Like Sylvie, many LitMoms have been working hard to share skills they learned in Moms LitClubs with their families. Check out Josephine, Francoise, and Fortune reading aloud with their kids, instilling in them a love for reading and giving them the tools they need for a brighter future!

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