Let’s write the future
Every community, despite its size, desires and deserves quality education.
When the language of school is not spoken at home, children face additional challenges. Our four-fold approach empowers communities to make real progress toward owning their children’s future, linking heritage concepts with modern skills.
Santali Reading Clubs
Two literacy workers started after schoool reading clubs in their local villages. They used books and reading materials produced in their own language to teach the children how to read. These reading clubs were a hit with the local community, and soon, the groups expanded to four workers leading clubs in five villages throughout the area reaching several hundred children. The monthly dues paid by the parents provided funds to publish and print more books and reading materials to circulate among the various reading clubs.
Book Bag Project
Literacy Initiatives provided logistical support in terms of the office space, computer and printer, and the practical training, but it was the initiative of five tribal young men that made it happen. These energetic and faithful teachers met monthly to develop reading materials and teaching supports (like flash cards and posters) which were then organized into twelve two-week reading units that each fit into its own shoulder bag. The Literacy workers then checked these bags out of a central hub (a chosen village in the area) so that they could be used in their village afterschool reading clubs. See the delight in the children’s faces as they discover the joy of reading in their own local language. Literacy Initiaives hopes to see this book bag project replicated in other areas, resourced by the local communities.
Writer and Artist Workshops
Artists and writers from local communities gather together to write and illustrate literacy materials that will be used in literacy programs in their communities. They are taught the basics of story writing and principles of book design.
Curriculum Development Workshops
Local community members from multiple language communities come together to develop curriculum in their own languages. They incorporate stories, poems, songs, seasonal calendars and traditional festivals from their own culture so that the content is both natural and meaningful to learners
Literacy Consultant Training
Literacy practitioners training to become consultants are guided and mentored as they grow in their skills and qualifications.
Professional Development Systems
In partnership with SIL International, we have been challenged by the need for a systematic process for tracking the skills, aptitudes and experiences of literacy workers across a number of partner organizations. The goal of this endeavor is 1) to encourage an on-going attitude of skills development among workers, and 2) to properly assess needs and opportunities so that partners may effectively mobilize resources to the vast needs we see on an un-even educational landscape where not all children have equal access to quality learning opportunities.
Curriculum Management Software
We have also partnered with a private software company to improve existing solutions to the challenge of literacy material development in local languages. For example, SIL International’s award winning software “Bloom” enables local authors to create print, digital and multimedia stories in local languages. Our utilities enable project managers to track content development at scale, supercharging the availability of vital local language material.
How will you affirm local initiatives in education?
You can support educational programs that honor a child’s heritage language by
participating in community reading programs
funding organizations that bring generations together
support local authors whose voice has not been heard
encourage hope and creativity among children
participating in your local education programs through parents’ groups and taking part in volunteering opportunities