Room to Read

Hello! We are an organization called Room to Read. We believe that every child should have the chance to learn and dream, and it all starts with books. Our story began in the year 2000 with a trip our founder, John Wood, took to a country called Nepal. He was visiting a small school and was excited to see its library. When he walked inside, he was surprised. The room was almost empty, with very few books for all the students. John knew that without books, it’s very hard for children to learn to read and discover new ideas. He decided right then that he had to do something to help. That big idea was the beginning of our organization, Room to Read, created to bring books and build libraries for children in communities that need them.

From that day on, our main job has been to help children with two very important skills: reading and learning. One of the biggest ways we do this is by working with local communities to build wonderful libraries. These aren't just quiet rooms with shelves. We help make them safe, bright, and colorful places where children feel excited to spend time. We fill them with lots of interesting books so that every child can find a story they love. We work together with local people because they know what their children need most. By building these libraries together, we make sure they are special places for the whole community.

Having a library is the first step, but having the right books is just as important. Imagine trying to read a story in a language you don't understand! That’s why we also help create and publish brand-new storybooks for children in their very own local languages. This is so special because it allows children to see their own lives and cultures in the pages of a book. When a child reads a story about a character who looks and talks like them, it makes reading much more fun and meaningful. These books help children become strong, confident readers.

We also have a special program just for older girls. In some parts of the world, it can be difficult for girls to stay in school as they get older. We want to change that. Our program helps girls continue their education so they can finish school and have bigger dreams for their futures. By helping them stay in school, we help them learn the skills they need to reach their full potential and become leaders. We believe that when you help a girl get an education, you are helping her build a better future for herself and everyone around her.

Our work started with that one school in Nepal, but it didn't stop there. Since we began, we have grown and now work in many different countries across Asia and Africa. We have been able to reach millions of children with the gift of books and learning. Our work continues today. We partner with communities and governments to make sure even more children have the chance to go to school, read amazing stories, and build a better life. We are still working hard to make sure that one day, every child will have a room to read.