Reading Village

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