Working together for a generation of readers
We’re now a quarter of the way through our Generation Reader campaign. In this blog, our Head of Partnerships and Programmes Samantha Sokoya reflects on the campaign’s progress to date.
Reading – especially reading for pleasure – ignites ambition, encourages empathy, broadens horizons and unlocks academic success. And yet, we are living through a reading crisis.
Rates of reading for pleasure are falling almost everywhere, and in the communities where we work far too many children live in a world with no books at all.
So, what is to be done? For us, Generation Reader, is part of the answer.
In 2023, we committed to working with our partners across Africa to provide the books that ten million young people need to realise their ambitions. We also set out to train 1,500 teachers and librarians to support young people’s reading and equip 300 new reading spaces where learning can flourish by 2030.
We’re now a quarter of the way through our campaign, and thanks to funding from the Bernard Sunley Foundation, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Sigrid Rausing, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and many others, we’re well on our way to meeting our targets. To date, we’ve trained 166 people, opened 72 reading spaces and supported 426,288 young people.
They’re big numbers, but they’re only part of the story. Behind each number is a story like 17 year old Tariro’s. She lives in Gwanda, Zimbabwe, and is top of her class – and she is clear on the value of books for her peers:
Some people may think even if youth have books maybe they would choose not to read – but that is not true. People love reading, but they do not have access to books. If every person in my generation had books, I think more people would pass their exams and pursue these ambitions
Tariro, Zimbabwe
If Generation Reader succeeds, Tariro and so many like her will be equipped to do so much more in their communities.
We are ready to provide the books, training and grants our partners need to engage a generation of readers across Africa – but we can’t do it without you. Whether funding a single Discovery Book Box or nominating us for a corporate charity partnership there are countless ways to be a part of creating a generation of readers. Our team would be delighted to hear from you to discuss your involvement.
To start a conversation, please fill in our contact us form, or reach out to our Corporate Partnerships Manager Tom: 020 7326 5806 or Tom.manning@bookaid.org.
I hope that you will join us today and help us share the power of books with a new generation of readers.
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Find out more about Generation Reader
Photos: ThokoChikondi, EstherSweeney / KNLS, KB Mpofu / ENML, INEZA Foundation
About us
Our mission and vision
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.
Read moreOur impact
Books give people the power to change their lives for the better and create a more equal future. Every year, we offer the opportunity to read to millions.
Read moreOur finances
At Book Aid International all the income we receive is from voluntary donations – we receive no government grants.
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