In a circle of our youth leaders, one in particular stands out. He’s got deep dark eyes, a clean pressed shirt, and a contagious smile. He’s also ten years and two feet shorter than most of the others.
Juanito is the younger brother of two of our program participants but for the past two years he’s all but joined the group. He is fourth in a line of brothers with progressively more opportunity as they embrace their educations: a mechanic, a university student, and a soon to be graduate. And then there is Juanito. The young boy has benefited immensely from the education of his older brothers. They brought home books to read to him, they took him to the neighborhood library that they themselves opened, and they showed him, by way of example, the doors that would be opened if he could do what 90% of his peers would not – finish high school.
Just eight years old, Juanito is still several years away from achieving that dream but he’s not wasting any time. Today, he walks confidently into youth leadership meetings and takes a chair in the circle. The teens offer him a turn answering questions and participating in conversation. He brings his friends to the library, reads to them, and shows them how to pick out books.
While he dreams of being a reading promoter like his older brothers, we are thrilled to witness that he already is. Juanito is a perfect example of the ways in which literacy and education can unlock the potential of children living in poverty. “I’ve learned from Juanito the true happiness that literacy and leadership can bring,” said one of our youth leaders. “I’m so glad he’s with us.”
Thank you for making this happiness happen. Thank you for transforming lives through literacy.
Sincerely,
Linda Smith
Founder & Executive Director, Reading Village
This month has been so humbling. In the past 30 days hundreds of individuals from around the world have stepped up to raise more than $26,000. But the clock is still ticking, there are still lives to change and students to send to school.
Before the clock runs out on 2014, please join our 30x30 campaign and help us close the gap on raising $30,000 in 30 days so that all of our scholars can start school next week. Your invesment will directly transform the lives of our 53 scholars and the 3,500 young children they reach with literacy activities. But don't take our word for it. Here's what our scholars and their families ahve to say about the impact of your investment:
Thank you for your support this past year. We're so grateful that you've helped us raise more than $26,000 in the month of December alone and hope you'll step up to close the gap on our goal to raise $30,000 in 30 days. We could not do this good work without you. Happy holidays to you and yours from everyone at Reading Village.
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We’re half way through the month of December, and more than half way towards our goal of raising $30,000 in 30 days!
In the past two weeks, individuals from around the world have generously stepped up to give the gift of education. Because of them, students like Rosmery have the chance to chase their dreams:
Like many young women in Guatemala, Rosmery came from a family that did not value girls' education. In spite of this, she was determined to not only finish her own schooling, but to become a teacher so she could educate other children and “show that a girl could be something in this world.” In her first year in the program, tragedy struck and Rosmery’s mother died. Rosmery could have been married off or sent to live with relatives so there would be fewer mouths to feed, and she certainly would not have been able to afford the basic costs of going to school. Instead, Reading Village supporters stepped up and provided a scholarship and leadership training that helped Rosmery graduate from high school and achieve her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
Consider this your invitation. Please join our 30x30 campaign and stand beside hundreds of individuals from around the world who believe that Rosmery and her peers should have the chance to fulfill their potential.
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