LitWorld partner’s with Museo Rayo, in Roldanillo, Colombia, to run programs that bring the community together in the face of paramilitary and community violence. Since 2014, girls and boys ages 7-18 have participated in our signature LitClub program, expanded in 2017 to include Moms Clubs. Our model provides underserved populations with literacy education through the prism of social-emotional learning. LitClubs give people in complex circumstances a safe place to share stories, build trust, and experience mentoring from supportive adults while strengthening their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

As with other LitWorld partnerships, we rely on Museo Rayo to identify a community in need, to recruit and oversee community-based teaching staff and mentors, and to provide expertise on the population served. In turn, we bring a well-developed curriculum, mentor training, program oversight, and resources, including books, paper, pens, and snacks. We also often fund mentor, staff, and Partnership Coordinator salaries/stipends.

Our project with Better World Books would cover on-the-ground direct program expenses to run LitClubs in a community striving for peace. In addition to the task of providing a safe and consistent space, our biggest challenge is the continued growth of the programming and number of participants. This grant would provide all the supplies for the year of LitClubs, ensuring that all community members who would like to become a part of our programming are able to do so; we anticipate reaching over 350 people during the funding period. In addition, the grant would also provide funding for travel and transportation, ensuring members of our LitFamily can reach our programs. Programming is free, and all are welcomed.

“LitWorld is honored to be in the Better World Books family of grantees. In a time with so much global turmoil, it is essential to continue giving children a voice so that their strengths and their hopes can become building blocks for our future. It all starts with access to the transformational power of literacy.”

Ana Stern, Director of Program Operations