About Us

OUR HISTORY

In 1966, l started school unable to read. Thanks to a wonderful Reading Specialist, l discovered the joy of reading. Later in life, l understood the power of literacy and how all learning starts with the ability to read.

In 2001, I read a United Nations report and I was deeply troubled by the high rates of illiteracy. Then I traveled to Ethiopia in 2002 and was shocked to see classrooms empty of any books and basic educational resources. I witnessed first-hand the link between young people and the poverty trap due to their limited education.

After a successful commercial career, l wanted to give back to the community. Therefore in 2003, I established the World Literacy Foundation with the goal to bring books, tutoring and literacy resources to children without any support. In 2005, we started with the transportation of children’s books to Africa and a few years later, incorporated the creation of low-cost digital e-books in local languages.

In 2016, we designed a solar panel tablet device called “Sun Books” to bring an e-library of local and international educational books to classrooms in Uganda where there is no internet, electricity or textbooks.

In 2018, we started the creation of e-books and literacy games in local Indigenous languages and English, to better support children learning English through their mother-tongue.

Meanwhile, in 2014 we ran for the first time the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University to bring together the global literacy community to build greater collaboration and partnerships. It was a complete success and we decided to celebrate it again in 2016, 2018 and now we are working on the 2020 conference.

Last year, we reached more than 350,000 children and young people with our services in USA, Australia, UK, Africa, and Latin America. I am satisfied and keen to continue working for literacy and education for children because I strongly believe literacy is the vehicle, the pathway to young people reaching their full potential.

ANDREW G KAY

Founder and CEO World Literacy Foundation.

Our Mission

We strive to ensure that every young individual regardless of geographic location has the opportunity to acquire literacy and reading skills to reach their full potential, succeed at school and beyond. We provide free access to quality education materials and innovative solutions that target wide-scale illiteracy.

Our Vision

We envision a world in which every one of us can read and write, in which there is free access to education for all.

How We Do It

In USA, UK, Australia, Africa and South America

We provide books and educational resources, so children can discover the joy of reading.

We provide tutoring and literacy support to disadvantaged children who are struggling to read.

We gather literacy and educational leaders and organizations around the world to share ideas and collaborate within the sector.

We create e-books and literacy tools to children in rural & remote classrooms for children in Africa & Indigenous Australia using an innovative technology software.

Under our Sun Books initiative, we provide a low-cost solar panel tablet to “off the grid” classrooms in Africa, they are pre-loaded with a digital library to young learners in their local language and English.

We are a global voice to spread and promote the importance of literacy, we empower people to advocate in their local community for this cause.

OUR IMPACT

In 2018, so far…our impact

250,101+

Times children have accessed our literacy activities through provision of books, tutoring, reading support and resources

153,100+

Times parents, communities and professionals have been engaged with in our literacy services through volunteering, events and conferences

93+

Countries impacted by World Literacy Foundation activities

346+

Million people reached through mainstream media, advocacy, awareness activities and social media

FINANCIALS

Understand how your contribution impacts lives around the world.

2017-2018 BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES

ANNUAL REPORTS 2017-2018

View and download our annual reports, by region.

AUSTRALIA

USA

OUR PEOPLE

We are a group of passionate individuals working together to write a better future

Andy Kay

CEO & FOUNDER

Alec Green

PROJECT MANAGER NORTH AMERICA

Maria Rojas

SUN BOOKS PROGRAM MANAGER

Sarah Novinetz

PROJECT COORDINATOR AUSTRALIA

Cecilia Sandell

FUNDRAISING OFFICE COORDINATOR UK

Paula Correa

PROJECT COORDINATOR COLOMBIA

Paula Rico

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Andrea Gualteros

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Carlos Vallejo

IT OFFICER

Charlee Standley

YOUTH AMBASSADOR COORDINATOR

Antonella Di Fiori

PROGRAM COORDINATOR AUSTRALIA

Karime Tepos

GRAPHIC DESIGNER INTERN

Allison Hough

PROJECT MANAGER NORTH AMERICA

Founder’s Letter

There exists a global connection between us all, and at the World Literacy Foundation, we believe that education and literacy are the cornerstones for realizing ones true potential.