I first heard about Ready for Reading in a professional capacity as a Library of Congress employee, when RfR received a highly competitive literacy award from the Library in 2019. I’ve been a supporter ever since. I’m so impressed with this wonderful organization, its dedicated founder and staff, and the invaluable and impactful work RfR does with and for communities in Rwanda. It’s an amazing group of people doing life changing work.
While traveling to Rwanda in 2015 on a volunteer trip, I experienced level of support and hope that R4R provides for the community. Literacy truly is empowerment, and the library learning center is designed in a way that welcomes all and nurtures growth. With strong leaders, both in Rwanda and the U.S., R4R has done incredible things and will continue to do so!
Reading for Reading makes a tangible difference in the lives of so many in Rwanda through their literacy work. I can see the impact on the community and those they serve through their excellent communication and updates via social media. The power of literacy extends beyond reading and writing into math skills and life skills. A person that can read and write has the tools to learn, grow, and succeed and that impact extends past their village and country. I feel confident my support for RfR is helping to bend the arc for a better world. ~ Eileen Bartels
Ready for Reading is an amazing organization that has worked with the people Rwinkwavu for the past decade. The various literacy programs have changed the lives of all ages in this village hit hard by the 1994 genocide. As the organization expanded their programs over the years, it followed the model of empowering the people into leadership roles. Neighbors , friends, and family are all working towards a common goal of literacy for all. When I think of this program I think of joy, hope and transformation.
Ready for Reading is a gem among the many that work in the world of literacy and community building. The founder, inspired by her travels to Rwanda and her love of books, set out to create a library/learning center in a rural community in Rwanda over 15 years ago. Over those years, Ready for Reading has brought the joy of reading to life and other dynamic programs (mom's club, drumming groups, sports programs) have flourished as a result of a committed, engaging and enthusiastic team. Ready for Reading learning center is the hub and heart of the community bringing joy and hope for a brighter future. RFR is the little engine that could and it does just that every day. It is satisfying to support this organization and those it serves.
I've been incredibly impressed with the scope of services that Ready for Reading has supported in Rwinkwavu at the Library Learning Center. This Library has made enormous difference to individuals of all ages. The programs emphasize how literacy enhances the love of life long learning. With this as a focus, each person this library touches now has the capacity to make world a better place. I am honored to be a donor to this impactful non profit, as Ready for Reading surpasses all expectations!
I have been a supporter of this organization since its founding in 2008. They are doing amazing work promoting literacy and providing educational resources for rural communities in Rwanda. Their progress and reach is evidenced by their Literacy Award from the Library of Congress in 2019 and their support from Paul Farmer’s Partners in Health.
I hosted a local fundraising effort for Ready for Reading in 2018 in CT that was very successful in raising awareness and support for their work. I’m planning a trip to Rwanda to see their efforts first hand and I will host another local fundraiser. As author Jonathan Edward Durham recently noted about public libraries, …”they are the absolute pinnacle of human civic evolution.”
Ready for Reading is doing the extraordinary work of showing up every day, year in and year out. The local community now relies on Ready for Reading's consistent programming and the facility has become a center for a broad range of educational opportunities. The community is thriving as a result of the Ready for Reading programs and the wonderful staff that greets each child and adult participant with enthusiasm and encouragement.
Ready for Reading is an outstanding organization. They believe that reading/literacy is essential and a right for all people; something that we all just take for granted. Teaching the underserved to read opens doors to opportunities for a better life- recipes can be made, directions to a clinic followed, prescriptions on medications adhered to, job applications filled out, community bulletins read, etc. Reading opens the world to an impoverished person because it opens the internet to them. RfR built a library in rural Rwanda to teach reading and foster a better and healthier community. All people can go to the library to get resources, take classes, join neighborhood groups, or just explore the world. A small organization with a huge impact.
I have been so impressed with Ready for Reading and what they have accomplished and the lives they have changed on all fronts!!! The way they teach the children literacy and also the woman and families to have better lives through literacy and community. I have personally been so inspired by their commitment to get under the root and foundation of reading and how that can empower your life and better jobs!They have set the standards high and they continue to grow and evolve. I have learned so much watching the incredible events and feeling like I’m a part of them even living here in America!!Vey thankful there are people that care so much to bring literacy and community together!!