Imagine life without books?
For children like 11-year-old Caroline this is a reality.
Read more about her story
11-year-old Caroline lives with her aunt in a remote village in Kayunga District, Uganda.
As a baby, Caroline was subject to physical abuse and her aunt, Jajja, at the age of 50, became her primary caregiver.
Her aunt is HIV positive, and despite her big smile and warm welcome, she is unwell and suffering. She worries about what will happen to Caroline when she is not around.
There is no electricity in Caroline’s village. Their home is one room, the size of a double bed, and made from some bricks, mud, and leaves. There is barely enough room to turn around.
The room has a single bed, a few possessions, some shoes and plastic bags hang on the walls.
Caroline’s bed, a hard thin mat is stored away during the day to give them a bit more space to move around.
The chickens share this room at night-time, so they are safe from thieves.
Because of this, Caroline wakes up daily with chicken feces on her body and bed.
There is one small mosquito net in their room. It is torn and ineffective.
Malaria is common here and a friend of Caroline recently passed away from the disease.
Malaria is common here and a friend of Caroline recently passed away from the disease.
Caroline is covered in scars from mosquito bites.
Caroline explains that she does her homework by candlelight when she can borrow a match from a neighbor.
The room is pitch black once the sun goes down.
Even if they were able to access a solar panel, this would make them targets for thieves.
Jajja explained that when Caroline goes to school, she works digging the fields in exchange for a little food. When asked if they have enough food, Jajja replies “When we have, we eat, when we don’t, we live”.
Caroline comes to life when she talks about going to school.
Her favorite books are found in her classroom on a shared tablet device provided by the World Literacy Foundation’s program – “Sun Books”. Before this program, my world was without books.
“Today, the best part of my life is going to school”, Caroline said.
For as little as $25, you can give the gift of literacy to another child like Caroline.
Caroline loves seeing her friends, writing stories, and playing netball. She explained that since she was able to use Sun Books in her class, her confidence in reading has improved, and all she wants to do is write stories.
“Since World Literacy Foundation brought Sun Books to my school, I have become the Head of the School Library. Before we only had a few, very old books.”
Caroline is really proud of her library role.
There are 600 stories and books on the Sun Book tablets, with a variety of culturally suitable stories for Caroline and her friends to enjoy and learn from. Caroline’s teacher noted “The Sun Books e-library offers a window to imagination, creativity and knowledge.”
Caroline hopes to work with computers. She dreams of the day she is able to support Jajja and her brothers and sisters, who are cared for in different villages by other family members.
Caroline has a very hard life. It is clear that life without books is bleak.
“Because of Sun Books I have hope for my future”
Caroline’s love of reading and writing is important. Her dream to work with computers is important, and your donation makes her future dreams a reality.
Watch the full video of Caroline
Your Christmas donation of $75 can provide essential learning materials and support for three children just like Caroline. Please donate today.
Donate Now
Read more about her story
11-year-old Caroline lives with her aunt in a remote village in Kayunga District, Uganda.
As a baby, Caroline was subject to physical abuse and her aunt, Jajja, at the age of 50, became her primary caregiver.
Her aunt is HIV positive, and despite her big smile and warm welcome, she is unwell and suffering. She worries about what will happen to Caroline when she is not around.
There is no electricity in Caroline’s village. Their home is one room, the size of a double bed, and made from some bricks, mud, and leaves. There is barely enough room to turn around.
The room has a single bed, a few possessions, some shoes and plastic bags hang on the walls.
Caroline’s bed, a hard thin mat is stored away during the day to give them a bit more space to move around.
The chickens share this room at night-time, so they are safe from thieves.
Because of this, Caroline wakes up daily with chicken feces on her body and bed.
There is one small mosquito net in their room. It is torn and ineffective.
Malaria is common here and a friend of Caroline recently passed away from the disease.
Caroline is covered in scars from mosquito bites.
Caroline explains that she does her homework by candlelight when she can borrow a match from a neighbor.
The room is pitch black once the sun goes down.
Even if they were able to access a solar panel, this would make them targets for thieves.
Jajja explained that when Caroline goes to school, she works digging the fields in exchange for a little food. When asked if they have enough food, Jajja replies “When we have, we eat, when we don’t, we live”.
Caroline comes to life when she talks about going to school.
Her favorite books are found in her classroom on a shared tablet device provided by the World Literacy Foundation’s program – “Sun Books”. Before this program, my world was without books.
“Today, the best part of my life is going to school”, Caroline said.
For as little as $25, you can give the gift of literacy to another child like Caroline.
Caroline loves seeing her friends, writing stories, and playing netball. She explained that since she was able to use Sun Books in her class, her confidence in reading has improved, and all she wants to do is write stories.
“Since World Literacy Foundation brought Sun Books to my school, I have become the Head of the School Library. Before we only had a few, very old books.”
Caroline is really proud of her library role.
There are 600 stories and books on the Sun Book tablets, with a variety of culturally suitable stories for Caroline and her friends to enjoy and learn from. Caroline’s teacher noted “The Sun Books e-library offers a window to imagination, creativity and knowledge.”
Caroline hopes to work with computers. She dreams of the day she is able to support Jajja and her brothers and sisters, who are cared for in different villages by other family members.
Caroline has a very hard life. It is clear that life without books is bleak.
“Because of Sun Books I have hope for my future”
Caroline’s love of reading and writing is important. Her dream to work with computers is important, and your donation makes her future dreams a reality.
Watch the full video of Caroline
Your Christmas donation of $75 can provide essential learning materials and support for three children just like Caroline. Please donate today.
Donate Now
"The best part of my life is going to school.”
Caroline, 11 years old
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World Literacy Foundation, is a peak international charitable organization operating in USA, Canada, Latin America, United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and Australia. We are on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of geographic location, have the opportunity to acquire literacy skills and books to reach their full potential.
World Literacy Foundation is a registered organization. Gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable under the law.
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