When I first heard about the rise in popularity of e-readers, I worried that the digital book revolution would isolate those without access to technology. Anyone can check out a book from the library, but only those with e-readers can read an e-book. Would e-readers create yet another barrier to literacy for the poor and the marginalized?
Turns out that, thanks to the efforts of ex-Amazon executive David Risher, e-readers can actually increase literacy!
I love a feel-good news story, don’t you?
Introducing Worldreader
David Risher is using his expertise from Amazon to give books to the poorest people in the world. He has established Worldreader, a non-profit organization that strives to defeat illiteracy in places like Africa by using digital book technology. According to an NPR story, Risher got the idea when he was volunteering at an orphanage in Ecuador and discovered a locked building filled with books. He was told that the building was the library. The books had taken so long to ship, the children didn’t have interest in them anymore.
Risher wanted to encourage a culture of reading in poor countries, and he decided that e-readers would be the best way to do that. E-readers use little power, are portable, and captivate the interest of children everywhere. Also, publishers can deliver e-books much faster than printed books. As of November 2013, Worldreader has delivered over 700,000 e-books to about 12,000 children in nine African countries.
How Word Nerds Can Help
Doesn’t this child deserve a book?Of course, Worldreader needs sponsors to support its work. I did some research at Worldreader.org, thinking that maybe this could be a charity for word nerds to champion.
Worldreader tackles illiteracy by delivering e-reader kits to classrooms, libraries, or individuals.
One e-reader kit includes:
- 50 e-readers, each loaded with 100 books by African and International authors
- hardware such as covers, charging cables, ID labels
- tech support
- management tools like training kits, launch planning guide, student rewards, etc.
The cost for one kit varies from $7500- $15,000, depending on the device model used. I know- that’s a lot of money. But don’t get discouraged! There are plenty of ways to support Worldreader, even if you don’t have thousands of dollars. Here are some ideas:
- Buy a case for your own e-reader through A Case for Good; for every case purchased, an e-book will be delivered to a needy child
- Donate what you can to Worldreader; their site welcomes gifts from $30-$600
- Give a donation as a gift to a reader you know
- Spread the word about Worldreader! Visit the site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, tweet about Worldreader using the hashtag #booksforall, add their banners to your site.
What are some other organizations that work to eradicate illiteracy? How else can we support them?
You can help spread the word by clicking the link below:
Thanks!
Julia
What’s the A Case For Good link? It wasn’t working for me.
I did some research, and apparently that organization doesn’t exist anymore, because I couldn’t find the site. Thanks for noting the problem and making me aware of it. I took that info out of the post. Thanks also for wanting to make a difference in the world. 😉
Thank you for an intelligent piece about the e-reader/literacy effect. We have seen excellent results using e-readers and incentives with Indigenous kids in Australia. Improvements are in reading time, fluency and comprehension. Very exciting stuff. Find out more http://www.irp.org.au
This is wonderful news! Thanks for sharing how e-readers are helping worldwide. Good luck to you.
Very cool nonprofit and a very creative way to promote literacy in communities that live in poverty. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, and thanks so much for stopping by, Jennifer! I hope you’ll spread the word!
Thanks for introducing Worldreader to us, Julia! It sounds like a wonderful program. Definitely going to check it out and share!
Great Nicole! Thanks,