Child Aid reading and literacy programs do much more than help children learn to read. The literacy trainings we provide are transformative and empowering to librarians and teachers and have rippling effects across local communities.

Teachers and librarians learn skills and tools to implement effective reading programs, but they also gain personal confidence with these new abilities. Before participating in Child Aid trainings, Luis, a librarian in the community of Chicacao, had a fear of public speaking which gave him “cold hands.” Now he says he has completely overcome this fear, enabling him to be a more effective educator.

Other teachers echo the same sentiment expressed by Luis. “I used to be afraid to try new things or to speak up for what I wanted,” says Flor de María, “but now I have the courage and skills to be a better leader.” Flor was a teacher who was recently promoted to school director in her community of Chicacao. She travels to nearby communities to promote reading and train other teachers.

After participating in Child Aid trainings, many teachers and librarians are taking an increasingly active role in their communities, not just in their schools. These teachers and librarians are becoming more vocal community advocates, such as the librarians of Pasaq. (Read previous story about a student in Pasaq here.) After learning of an upcoming meeting with the regional school superintendent, all three community librarians wanted to attend in order to express their opinions and show their support for Child Aid literacy programs. One of the librarians said, “I feel better equipped and motivated to participate in the development of my community through education.”

Child Aid’s literacy programs not only teach young students essential skills, but they help develop inspired local leaders who are dedicated to community transformation through education.