855 million people in the world are illiterate. Out of that, two-thirds are women. In today’s world, this is an unacceptable statistic, and the International Literacy Day is working to change it.
As part of International Literacy Day, Tribal Truth is showcasing organizations that are fighting illiteracy around the world.
International Reading Association: The IRA has more than 70,000 members worldwide, and among their missions, they advocate for education reform, give monetary grants, and host educator conferences.
National Center for Family Literacy: The NCFL focuses their attention on families and communities and encouraging a love of reading in the home. Some of their current programs include the Toyota Family Literacy Program, Family and Child Education, and the Family Literacy-Community College Initiative.
Literacy Partners, Inc.: There are 3.7 million functionally illiterate adults in New York. New York-based Literacy Partners provides free adult and family literacy programs, and when there are drops in illiteracy, there are also drops in poverty, crime, and welfare dependence.
Page Ahead: Page Ahead works with children from low-income homes who are at risk of reading below their grade level. Their programs include parent workshops, story times, reading parties, and book distribution events.
Reading Is Fundamental: Reading Is Fundamental encourages a love of reading by giving away free children’s books, getting parents and children reading together, and rewarding kids for achieving reading goals. Their programs include Books For Ownership, Shared Beginnings, Family of Readers, and Running Start.
