Generation T Is Working To Tackle Child Illiteracy—And We Need Your Help

Gen.T has partnered with Room to Read to support its life-changing literacy programmes. Here’s how

Today, September 8, is World Literacy Day. The date was established by Unesco in 1966 to highlight the importance of literacy to both individuals and societies at large.

But today it also serves another purpose. It’s a stark reminder, 50 years later, that over 750 million people are still illiterate.

Above A Room to Read programme in Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of Room to Read)

We live in a time of extraordinary innovation—a world where technological developments that were inconceivable in the ’60s, when the day was established, are now part of the everyday. And yet, a significant proportion of the global population still can’t read or write. Of those 750 million, two-thirds are women and girls.

As a platform for young leaders who are shaping Asia’s future, Generation T understands that everything starts with education. Without basic literacy skills, children don’t face much of a promising future—let alone the chance to shape it.

Above A Room to Read programme in Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of Room to Read)

Room to Read knows this better than most. The organisation focuses on literacy and gender equality in education, impacting over 12.4 million children since it was founded in 2000. Its driving force? “World change starts with educated children.”

Which is why Generation T invited Room to Read founder John Wood to the launch of the Hong Kong Generation T List back in June, to announce the start of a year-long partnership with the Hong Kong-based non-profit.

Above A Room to Read programme in Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of Room to Read)

At the launch event, Generation T committed to sponsoring 50 children for a year through Room to Read’s Literacy Programme—one child for every person on the Hong Kong Generation T List 2018.

In addition, Generation T has committed to building a library in Cambodia. To do this, we are raising US$35,000 over the coming months. The amount covers the cost of building the library, filling it with local-language books, training librarians and the cost of running it for a period of three to four years, until it is self-sustaining.

Above A Room to Read programme in Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of Room to Read)

Watch this space for details of upcoming fundraising events in support of this target. In the meantime, if you’d like to donate you can do so through our Room to Read campaign page. We’re also searching for athletic young leaders to join the Generation T team at Room to Read’s Fastest Executive Race. If you’re interested in signing up, please contact HKTedit@edipressemedia.com.

We’ve set an ambitious target—a goal worthy of the ambition, talent and potential shown by the young game changers who make up the Generation T community. Or, to quote John Wood: “Bold goals attract bold people”. Here’s to that.

If you want to contribute to the Generation T campaign, you can donate via our Room to Read campaign page.

Topics

Generation T Room to Read John Wood Literacy Generation T List 2018 Charity

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Generation T Is Working To Tackle Child Illiteracy—And We Need Your Help