A fundamental human need

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The importance of being able to read and write may seem obvious. 

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Low levels of literacy are a crucial factor in a wide range of poor health, economic and social outcomes (see for example  The-Economic-Social-Cost-of-Illiteracy-2022.pdf (worldliteracyfoundation.org))​​​​​

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​The Literacy Initiative aim is simple:  to transform lives through literacy.  ​We are keen to support - and where appropriate support delivery of - any project which does this.

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Not always that simple...

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We also know that addressing poor literacy is not as 'simple' as improving the quality of existing schooling, or increasing school attendance.

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Imagine yourself as a child trying to learn to read or write, but being taught in a language you don't speak. 

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​​​​​​​It is estimated that nearly 37% of people in low and middle income countries speak a language different from the language of instruction in their classrooms. (UNESCO, 2023).  ​

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Unsurprisingly, this results in high levels of school absence, poor health and social outcomes and a lack of cohesion among different language communities.

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​"Research shows that education in the mother tongue is a key factor for inclusion and quality learning, and it also improves learning outcomes and academic performance. This is crucial, especially in primary school to avoid knowledge gaps and increase the speed of learning and comprehension. And most importantly, multilingual education based on the mother tongue empowers all learners to fully take part in society. It fosters mutual understanding and respect for one another and helps preserve the wealth of cultural and traditional heritage that is embedded in every language around the world. "

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'Why mother language-based education is essential', UNESCO 2022

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​Delivering letters...

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The challenge doesn't even stop with increasing access to mother tongue learning.  

 

Many minority languages do not even have a written script or 'orthography'.  

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People who only speak those minority language communities cannot become literate: there is nothing to learn to read or write in.  

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No-one should be left behind​​

 

The Literacy Initiative tackles each stage of the literacy problem, developing written scripts in minority languages, teaching people to read and write in those scripts, bridging them to languages of wider communication, and enabling them to create materials in those languages. 

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Through its depth, our work aims to change the lives of some of the most marginalised communities in the world. 

 

We believe that no-one should be left behind because of the language community they were born into.