Room to Read

Hello! We are Room to Read, a non-profit organization with a very important mission. Our goal is to make sure children around the world have the tools they need to learn and to love reading. Our entire story started with a single trip and a surprising discovery. In 1998, one of our founders, John Wood, was traveling in Nepal when he visited a local school. He was excited to see their library, but when he walked inside, he found a room with dusty, empty shelves. There were almost no books for the students to read. He knew he had to do something to help.

This experience inspired him to take action. Two years later, in 2000, we were officially founded. Our purpose was clear from the very beginning: to bring books and better learning opportunities to children living in communities that have historically had fewer resources. We believe that every child deserves the chance to explore new worlds and ideas through reading, and our work is dedicated to making that belief a reality.

To achieve our mission, we focus our energy on two main areas. The first is our Literacy Program, which is designed to help young children learn how to read and, just as importantly, develop a lifelong love for books. How do we do this? We start by creating safe and welcoming spaces for reading. We work with communities to build and stock colorful libraries filled with wonderful stories. A library is more than just a room; it’s a place for imagination to grow. We also publish brand-new children's books in local languages, so kids can see their own cultures and experiences reflected in the stories they read. Finally, we provide training for teachers, giving them the skills to help their students become confident, enthusiastic readers.

Our second major focus is our Girls' Education Program. In many parts of the world, girls face unique challenges that can make it difficult for them to stay in school. This program gives them the extra support they need to continue their education and succeed. We connect girls with mentors who can guide and encourage them. We also help them learn important life skills, like how to solve problems, communicate confidently, and plan for their futures. By helping girls stay in school longer, we empower them to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their entire communities.

From that very first project inspired by the empty library in Nepal, we have grown in ways we could have only dreamed of. We began our work in one country, but over the years, we have expanded to work in many countries across Asia and Africa. We are proud to say that we have reached millions of children through our programs. Our efforts have led to the creation of tens of thousands of libraries, each one a new doorway to knowledge for students. To fill those libraries, we have published more than a thousand different book titles, ensuring children have a rich variety of stories to choose from. A key part of our success is that we always work together with local communities, listening to their needs and partnering with them to create lasting, positive change.

Today, our work is more important than ever, and we continue our mission to ensure every child has the chance to receive a quality education. We are always looking for new and better ways to support students and teachers. For example, we now create digital books and online learning resources that can be accessed from computers and phones, bringing learning to children wherever they are. At the heart of everything we do is a simple, powerful idea: we believe that when you educate a child, you can change the world. We are dedicated to continuing this important mission for many more years to come.