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{{Short description|U.S.-based international non-profit organization}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Room to Read
| name = Room to Read
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{{cleanup-PR|date=February 2020}}
{{cleanup-PR|date=February 2020}}
'''Room to Read''' is a global [[non-profit]] organization headquartered in [[San Francisco, California]].<ref name="people">{{cite news |last1=Westfall |first1=Sandra |title=Inside Michelle Obama & Julia Roberts' Emotional Day with Vietnamese Girls: 'I Will Never Recover' |url=https://people.com/politics/michelle-obama-julia-roberts-share-emotional-day-with-vietnamese-schoolgirls/ |work=[[People magazine]] |date=December 9, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Founded on the belief that World Change Starts With Educated Children®, the organization focuses on working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to improve [[literacy]] and [[gender equality]] in education.<ref name="Charity">{{cite news |last1=Newsdesk |title=Charity releases hundreds of children's books for free online to help parents teach at home |url=https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/charity-releases-hundreds-of-childrens-books-for-free-online-to-help-parents-teach-at-home/ |work=charitytoday.co.uk |date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>
'''Room to Read''' is a global [[non-profit]] organization headquartered in [[San Francisco, California]].<ref name="people">{{cite news |last1=Westfall |first1=Sandra |title=Inside Michelle Obama & Julia Roberts' Emotional Day with Vietnamese Girls: 'I Will Never Recover' |url=https://people.com/politics/michelle-obama-julia-roberts-share-emotional-day-with-vietnamese-schoolgirls/ |work=[[People magazine]] |date=December 9, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The organization focuses on working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to improve [[literacy]] and [[gender equality]] in education.<ref name="Charity">{{cite news |last1=Newsdesk |title=Charity releases hundreds of children's books for free online to help parents teach at home |url=https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/charity-releases-hundreds-of-childrens-books-for-free-online-to-help-parents-teach-at-home/ |work=charitytoday.co.uk |date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>


Room to Read has reached 23 million children and has worked in 20 countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Factsheet on Official Website |url=https://www.roomtoread.org/about-us/media/?accordion=short |website=www.roomtoread.org}}</ref><ref name="ft">{{cite news |last1=Jack |first1=Andrew |title=Pupils’ parallel pandemics in India and Tanzania |url=https://www.ft.com/content/43c0c834-f8ac-466e-8bcc-a0f49cbedeff |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
Room to Read has reached 23 million children and has worked in 20 countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Factsheet on Official Website |url=https://www.roomtoread.org/about-us/media/?accordion=short |website=www.roomtoread.org}}</ref><ref name="ft">{{cite news |last1=Jack |first1=Andrew |title=Pupils' parallel pandemics in India and Tanzania |url=https://www.ft.com/content/43c0c834-f8ac-466e-8bcc-a0f49cbedeff |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=14 October 2021}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Room to Read was co-founded and launched by [[John Wood (Room to Read)|John Wood]], Erin Keown Ganju and Dinesh Shrestha in 1999 after Wood visited several local schools in Nepal. He observed the teachers' and students' enthusiasm and lack of resources, which lead him to quit his job and build a global team to create sustainable programs that help solve their education challenges<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/executive/leadership/john-wood-i-had-to-get-out-of-microsoft-and-make-education-for-the-worlds-poorest-children-my-job|title=John Wood: 'I had to get out of Microsoft and make education for the world’s poorest children my job'|work=Financial Post|access-date=2017-03-25|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04x2zc8| title=Hardline Conservatives Threaten To Sink 'Trumpcare'| website=Business Matters| publisher= [[BBC World Service]] | host=[[Roger Hearing]]| date=2017-03-24| minutes=26:30| access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>
Room to Read was co-founded and launched by [[John Wood (Room to Read)|John Wood]], Erin Keown Ganju and Dinesh Shrestha in 1999 after Wood visited several local schools in Nepal. He observed the teachers' and students' enthusiasm and lack of resources, which led him to quit his job and build a global team to create sustainable programs that help solve their education challenges<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/executive/leadership/john-wood-i-had-to-get-out-of-microsoft-and-make-education-for-the-worlds-poorest-children-my-job|title=John Wood: 'I had to get out of Microsoft and make education for the world's poorest children my job'|work=Financial Post|access-date=2017-03-25|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04x2zc8| title=Hardline Conservatives Threaten To Sink 'Trumpcare'| website=Business Matters| publisher= [[BBC World Service]] | host=[[Roger Hearing]]| date=2017-03-24| minutes=26:30| access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>


Wood and Shrestha worked with rural communities to build schools called School Room and established libraries called Reading Room. They later expanded beyond libraries, to begin the Girls' Education program in 2000, which focuses on young girls and provides a long-term commitment to their education.<ref name=":0" />
Wood and Shrestha worked with rural communities to build schools called School Room and established libraries called Reading Room. They later expanded beyond libraries, to begin the Girls' Education program in 2000, which focuses on young girls and provides a long-term commitment to their education.<ref name=":0" />


In 2001, Ganju launched Room to Read in [[Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wood|first1=John|title=Leaving Microsoft to Change the World|date=2006|publisher=Harper Collins|location=New York|isbn=9780061121074|pages=[https://archive.org/details/leavingmicrosoft00wo/page/119 119]–125|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/leavingmicrosoft00wo}}</ref> Since then, Room to Read’s operations have expanded to include 20 countries. In 2020, Room to Read celebrated its twenty-year anniversary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Squawk Box Asis |title=Illiteracy must not become 'just a footnote in the global health crisis', says expert |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/01/18/illiteracy-must-not-become-footnote-in-ongoing-global-health-crisis.html |work=[[CNBC]] |date=18 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2001, Ganju launched Room to Read in [[Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wood|first1=John|title=Leaving Microsoft to Change the World|date=2006|publisher=Harper Collins|location=New York|isbn=9780061121074|pages=[https://archive.org/details/leavingmicrosoft00wo/page/119 119]–125|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/leavingmicrosoft00wo}}</ref> Since then, Room to Read's operations have expanded to include 20 countries.


==Programs==
==Programs==
Room to Read’s Literacy Program supports literacy development for primary school students. The organization works with local authors and illustrators to create and distribute children’s books.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Libraries Changing The Margins of The World |url=https://bittersweetmonthly.com/stories/room-to-read |work=BitterSweet Monthly |date=June 1, 2019}}</ref> It also introduced an online learning platform called Literacy Cloud during the COVID19 pandemic.<ref name="Charity" />
Room to Read's Literacy Program supports literacy development for primary school students. The organization works with local authors and illustrators to create and distribute children's books.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Libraries Changing The Margins of The World |url=https://bittersweetmonthly.com/stories/room-to-read |work=BitterSweet Monthly |date=June 1, 2019}}</ref> It also introduced an online learning platform called Literacy Cloud during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Charity" />


Through its Girls’ Education Program, Room to Read supports girls with resources, mentorship and a life skills curriculum that helps them overcome challenges to education.<ref name="people" />
Through its Girls' Education Program, Room to Read supports girls with resources, mentorship and a life skills curriculum that helps them overcome challenges to education.<ref name="people" />


==Impact==
==Impact==
Since its inception in 2000, Room to Read has reached 23 million children in underserved communities around the world:<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=Lee |title=Room To Read Founder John Wood On How To Turn Social Impact Into A Startup’s Competitive Advantage |url=https://generationt.asia/ideas/room-to-read-founder-john-wood-on-how-to-turn-social-impact-into-a-startup-s-competitive-advantage |work=Generation T |date=16 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
Since its inception in 2000, Room to Read has reached 32 million children in underserved communities around the world:<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=Lee |title=Room To Read Founder John Wood On How To Turn Social Impact Into A Startup's Competitive Advantage |url=https://generationt.asia/ideas/room-to-read-founder-john-wood-on-how-to-turn-social-impact-into-a-startup-s-competitive-advantage |work=Generation T |date=16 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


* 48,000 schools in 20 countries have been benefitted from Room to Read programs.
* 49,000 schools in 29 countries have been benefitted from Room to Read programs.
* Approximately 32 million children's books have been distributed, including more than 4,777 original and adapted Room to Read book titles
* Approximately 34 million children's books have been distributed, including more than 4,777 original and adapted Room to Read book titles
* 3.5 million books have been checked out.
* 200,000 teachers and librarians have been trained in literacy and reading best practices
* 200,000 teachers and librarians have been trained in literacy and reading best practices
* More than 2.8 million girls are supported by Room to Read's Girls' Education Program; 95% of girls who remained in the program advanced to the next grade
* More than 2.8 million girls are supported by Room to Read's Girls' Education Program; 95% of girls who remained in the program advanced to the next grade
* More than 3 million girls have benefitted from the Girl's Education Program since the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].


== Awards and recognition ==
== Awards and recognition ==
* [[Skoll Foundation]]: Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2004-2013)
* [[Skoll Foundation]]: Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2004–2013)
* [[Academy for Educational Development]]: Breakthrough Ideas in Education (2007)
* [[Academy for Educational Development]]: Breakthrough Ideas in Education (2007)
* [[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] / [[Monitor Group]]: Social Capitalist Award (2004-2008)
* [[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] / [[Monitor Group]]: Social Capitalist Award (2004–2008)
* [[Charity Navigator]]: 14 four-star ratings (2005-2017, 2019)<ref>{{cite news |title=Charity Navigator - Rating for Room to Read |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/912003533 |work=www.charitynavigator.org}}</ref>
* [[Charity Navigator]]: 14 four-star ratings (2005–2017, 2019)<ref>{{cite news |title=Charity Navigator - Rating for Room to Read |url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/912003533 |work=www.charitynavigator.org}}</ref>
* [[American Library Association]]: Presidential Citation (2008)<ref>{{cite web |title=ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects |url=https://www.ala.org/rt/irrt/alapresintlibraryaward |website=Round Tables |language=en |date=16 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[American Library Association]]: Presidential Citation (2008)<ref>{{cite web |title=ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects |url=https://www.ala.org/rt/irrt/alapresintlibraryaward |website=Round Tables |language=en |date=16 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy]]: 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=UNESCO International Literacy Prizewinners 2011|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/education-building-blocks/literacy/literacy-prizes/2011/|website=UNESCO}}</ref>
* [[UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy]]: 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=UNESCO International Literacy Prizewinners 2011|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/education-building-blocks/literacy/literacy-prizes/2011/|website=UNESCO}}</ref>
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[[Category:Development charities based in the United States]]
[[Category:Development charities based in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2000]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Organizations promoting literacy]]
[[Category:Organizations promoting literacy]]

Latest revision as of 02:17, 29 September 2024

Room to Read
Company typeNon-profit organization
IndustryEducation
Founded2000
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, United States
Key people
  • Geetha Murali (Chief Executive Officer )
  • John Wood (Founder)
  • Erin Ganju (Co-Founder)
  • Dinesh Shrestha (Co-Founder and Director of Field Operations)
Revenue44,679,630 United States dollar (2016) Edit this on Wikidata
Total assets72,676,292 United States dollar (2022) Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.roomtoread.org

Room to Read is a global non-profit organization headquartered in San Francisco, California.[1] The organization focuses on working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to improve literacy and gender equality in education.[2]

Room to Read has reached 23 million children and has worked in 20 countries.[3][4]

History

[edit]

Room to Read was co-founded and launched by John Wood, Erin Keown Ganju and Dinesh Shrestha in 1999 after Wood visited several local schools in Nepal. He observed the teachers' and students' enthusiasm and lack of resources, which led him to quit his job and build a global team to create sustainable programs that help solve their education challenges[5][6]

Wood and Shrestha worked with rural communities to build schools called School Room and established libraries called Reading Room. They later expanded beyond libraries, to begin the Girls' Education program in 2000, which focuses on young girls and provides a long-term commitment to their education.[5]

In 2001, Ganju launched Room to Read in Vietnam.[7] Since then, Room to Read's operations have expanded to include 20 countries.

Programs

[edit]

Room to Read's Literacy Program supports literacy development for primary school students. The organization works with local authors and illustrators to create and distribute children's books.[8] It also introduced an online learning platform called Literacy Cloud during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

Through its Girls' Education Program, Room to Read supports girls with resources, mentorship and a life skills curriculum that helps them overcome challenges to education.[1]

Impact

[edit]

Since its inception in 2000, Room to Read has reached 32 million children in underserved communities around the world:[9]

  • 49,000 schools in 29 countries have been benefitted from Room to Read programs.
  • Approximately 34 million children's books have been distributed, including more than 4,777 original and adapted Room to Read book titles
  • 3.5 million books have been checked out.
  • 200,000 teachers and librarians have been trained in literacy and reading best practices
  • More than 2.8 million girls are supported by Room to Read's Girls' Education Program; 95% of girls who remained in the program advanced to the next grade
  • More than 3 million girls have benefitted from the Girl's Education Program since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and recognition

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Westfall, Sandra (December 9, 2019). "Inside Michelle Obama & Julia Roberts' Emotional Day with Vietnamese Girls: 'I Will Never Recover'". People magazine.
  2. ^ a b Newsdesk (July 4, 2020). "Charity releases hundreds of children's books for free online to help parents teach at home". charitytoday.co.uk.
  3. ^ "Factsheet on Official Website". www.roomtoread.org.
  4. ^ Jack, Andrew (14 October 2021). "Pupils' parallel pandemics in India and Tanzania". Financial Times.
  5. ^ a b "John Wood: 'I had to get out of Microsoft and make education for the world's poorest children my job'". Financial Post. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
  6. ^ Roger Hearing (2017-03-24). "Hardline Conservatives Threaten To Sink 'Trumpcare'". Business Matters (Podcast). BBC World Service. 26:30 minutes in. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
  7. ^ Wood, John (2006). Leaving Microsoft to Change the World. New York: Harper Collins. pp. 119–125. ISBN 9780061121074.
  8. ^ Staff (June 1, 2019). "Libraries Changing The Margins of The World". BitterSweet Monthly.
  9. ^ Williamson, Lee (16 March 2018). "Room To Read Founder John Wood On How To Turn Social Impact Into A Startup's Competitive Advantage". Generation T.
  10. ^ "Charity Navigator - Rating for Room to Read". www.charitynavigator.org.
  11. ^ "ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects". Round Tables. 16 July 2010.
  12. ^ "UNESCO International Literacy Prizewinners 2011". UNESCO.
  13. ^ "Ten Innovative NGOs in Education". International Relations Online. American University School of International Service. 12 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Library of Congress Literacy Award Winners Announced". News from the Library of Congress. 30 August 2014.
[edit]
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