“LITERACY IS A BRIDGE FROM MISERY TO HOPE. IT IS A TOOL FOR DAILY LIFE IN MODERN SOCIETY. IT IS A BULWARK AGAINST POVERTY, AND A BUILDING BLOCK OF DEVELOPMENT, AN ESSENTIAL COMPLEMENT TO INVESTMENTS IN ROADS, DAMS, CLINICS AND FACTORIES. LITERACY IS A PLATFORM FOR DEMOCRATIZATION, AND A VEHICLE FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND NATIONAL IDENTITY. ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN, IT IS AN AGENT OF FAMILY HEALTH AND NUTRITION. FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, LITERACY IS, ALONG WITH EDUCATION IN GENERAL, A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.... LITERACY IS, FINALLY, THE ROAD TO HUMAN PROGRESS AND THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD CAN REALIZE HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL.” –KOFI ANNAN 

Happy World Literacy Day! 

Agahozo-Shalom strongly believes in the power of literature to open doors of perception and knowledge. Empowering citizens with the ability to read means empowering citizens with the ability to take advantage of opportunities presented to them. It has been proven that with higher literacy rates, people are more likely to develop higher self-esteem, improved health, and receive better jobs. While we believe the world should prioritize literacy every single day, the ASYV has been using International Literacy Day to push for more kids to pick up a book. In every family home in the Village, students participated in a group reading and discussion of Allegory of the Cave, led by our JDC Entwine service-learning visitors. Additionally, we had our top-reader from each grade make a short film encouraging their year to read more!

Submitted by Shelby Sullivan, 2015 Village Fellow

Book Recommendations by ASYV Staff Members