9/10 children cannot read - we will teach them!

By Sanne Sevig | Founder

Dear Friend,

One afternoon, after everyone else had gone home, one of our students quietly asked our teacher, “Can I stay a little longer?”

For many children, finishing school means rushing home. For this boy, it meant asking if he could keep learning.

He had never attended elementary school. Through patient one-on-one support at Kids Club, he has now learned to read and write. Today, he loves learning so much that he never wants the lessons to end.

Moments like these remind us why Kids Club exists.

A Summer Filled with Learning
While many schools closed for the summer break, Kids Club became busier than ever.

Throughout May and June, children joined us almost every day for our Summer School, where reading and mathematics were combined with games, creativity, outdoor activities, and plenty of laughter. The response from families was overwhelming, and many children returned day after day, excited to keep learning during their vacation.

By making learning enjoyable, we continue to show children that books and numbers can open doors rather than create fear.

Growing Confidence
Progress isn’t always measured by reading levels alone.

One young girl, who is being raised by her father, used to avoid reading aloud and rarely participated in class. Today she confidently raises her hand, volunteers to read, and takes part in classroom discussions.

It is these small moments of courage that often become the biggest milestones.

Learning Together
Every weekday, around 20 to 30 children attend our literacy tutorials, while Saturdays bring around 50 children together for Fun Club, storytelling, and group activities.

Our mini library continues to be one of the children’s favourite places. Books rarely stay on the shelves for long before finding their way home with eager young readers, ready to be read again and again before being exchanged for another adventure.

This year we were also fortunate to welcome volunteers from Austria, France, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. They introduced new teaching ideas, mathematics activities, English lessons, creative games, and environmental education, bringing fresh energy into our classrooms.

One of our returning volunteers, Zoe from the United Kingdom, once again helped our team develop new ways of making learning engaging and inclusive for every child. Her experience and encouragement continue to inspire both our teachers and our students.

Looking Ahead
Our biggest challenge today is no longer finding books.

Instead, it is finding enough time, teachers, and resources to support every child who wants to learn. As more families discover Kids Club, we are seeing increasing demand from older children who need extra encouragement to stay engaged with reading and school.

Looking ahead, we dream of installing a small solar system so we can keep Kids Club open during the evenings and on darker days. We also hope to welcome another teacher to our growing team, expand our library, and continue creating a place where every child feels excited to learn.

Thank You
Every book borrowed, every worksheet completed, and every child who discovers the confidence to read is possible because of your support.

Thank you for helping us build more than literacy.

Together, we are helping children discover a lifelong love of learning.

With gratitude,
Sanne Sevig

Founder, Nature Kids of Siargao

Since reopening Kids Club last year, our small learning space in Burgos has slowly grown into a place where children can build confidence with reading.

Across the Philippines, literacy remains a major challenge. Studies show that many children struggle to read at their expected level by the age of ten. While teachers in the public school system work incredibly hard, large class sizes and limited resources make it difficult to give each child the individual support they sometimes need.

That is where Kids Club can help.

A Calm Place to Practice Reading
Every weekday, around 20-30 different children attend literacy tutoring sessions at Kids Club. These sessions focus on helping children practice reading at their own pace. Some come daily, others once or twice per week. In total we ave around 500 registered children knowing their way to Kids Club.

Instead of feeling pressure or embarrassment about falling behind, the children learn in a relaxed and supportive environment. We use colorful and engaging books in both Filipino and English to help them build confidence with letters, words, and stories.

For many students, simply having the time to sit with a book and practice quietly makes a big difference.

Our Mini Library
One of the most loved features of Kids Club is our mini library.

Children are encouraged to borrow books and bring them home so they can read them again and again. When they feel ready, they return the book and choose a new one.

For some of the children, this is the first time they have ever had regular access to books outside of school. Watching them carefully select their next story has become one of our favorite moments each day.

Storytelling Saturdays
Reading also comes alive during Fun Club on Saturdays, when around 50 children gather for games, activities, and storytelling.

Storytime has quickly become one of the most popular parts of the day. Children sit together, listening closely as stories are read aloud. For many of them, these moments spark curiosity and imagination — the first steps toward wanting to read on their own.

Supporting the Work of Schools
Kids Club is not meant to replace the public school system. Instead, it works alongside it.

Teachers in local schools often manage large classrooms and do their best to help every student succeed. Our program offers additional time and space where children can practice reading without pressure.

With consistent support, we see gradual progress. Children begin recognizing more letters, sounding out words more confidently, and gaining the patience needed to keep learning.

The progress may be slow, but every step forward matters.

Looking Ahead
In the coming months, we hope to expand our small library and add more colorful books that children can borrow and enjoy.

We also plan to continue growing our storytelling sessions and reading activities during Fun Club so even more children can experience the joy of books.

Your support helps keep this learning space open — giving children the time, encouragement, and tools they need to become confident readers.

Thank you for helping us nurture the next generation of learners on Siargao Island.

With gratitude,
Sanne
Founder, Nature Kids of Siargao

Links:

• Our official Facebook page