Looking Back: The History of LitMoms Clubs

The Impact of LitMoms Clubs

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

At LitWorld, we know just how true this proverb is—especially when it comes to learning. In order to truly thrive, a child's learning cannot be limited to the confines of a classroom. Every child deserves access to a joyful learning environment at school and at home, and every caretaker deserves the chance to create one.

First piloted in 2012, LitMoms Clubs provide caretakers everywhere with the tools they need to support themselves and their families. By giving mothers access to the entrepreneurial training, literacy empowerment, and social support that so many women are often denied, LitWorld helps women become leaders in both their homes and communities—creating change for generations to come.

Recognizing the importance of family in a child's learning, LitWorld first developed LitMoms Clubs in 2012 to provide even further support for our partner communities. These revolutionary programs combined literacy empowerment and social support with income generation components such as technology training, sewing lessons, and food/nutrition workshops. Initially piloted in a few select locations, LitMoms Clubs now run in countries around the globe and have become an essential tool for supporting our partners.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, LitMoms played an especially pivotal role in their communities. At Art of a Child in Uganda, LitMom Jessica used the skills she learned in LitMoms Clubs to make and sell protective masks, preventing the spread of COVID-19 while earning income to support her family.

In Pakistan, LitMoms at Seeds of Hope took action by starting a friendly sewing competition to make face masks, which they then distributed for free. Safia, winner of the competition, stated that "[I] am really grateful to LitWorld and Seeds of Hope Foundation for giving me this opportunity to use my skills for the betterment of humanity in such a crucial circumstance."

LitMoms also proved vital in keeping kids learning throughout the pandemic. By reading aloud together and sharing activities they had learned in LitMoms Clubs, mothers at Ready for Reading in Rwanda were able to keep their families safe, engaged, and hopeful despite school closures and shutdowns.

The Impact of World Read Aloud Day

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Why are read-alouds such an essential part of LitWorld's work? The answer is simple: Reading aloud is one of the most powerful tools for change that we have. When we read aloud with others, we are not just strengthening our literacy skills and bringing communities together. We are also creating a culture of confident, engaged learners who know the power of their own voice.

That's why, on the first Wednesday of every February, LitWorld spearheads
World Read Aloud Day celebrations around the globe. Founded by LitWorld in 2010, World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) honors the transformational power of reading aloud and the importance of literacy as a foundational human right.

Now approaching its 13th year, read below to learn about the fascinating history of World Read Aloud Day—and how it is helping expand the definition and scope of global literacy.

THE HISTORY OF WRAD

As with most things LitWorld, the idea for LitWorld’s signature annual advocacy day came from a child. After a special read-aloud with his class, a student asked, “Why don’t we create a birthday party for the read aloud?” And so we did!

On March 3, 2010, LitWorld launched the first-ever World Read Aloud Day with events across New York City, including a read-aloud at the Polo Grounds by award-winning author Kwame Alexander. The impact was felt worldwide, with advocates from India, Australia, Ghana, Kenya, Austria, Iraq and beyond all working to help share the celebration with their communities.

After the success of this first celebration, World Read Aloud Day quickly began to take the world by storm. From month-long celebrations by our partners at Museo Rayo in Roldanillo, Colombia to Nal'ibali's monumental annual campaign across South Africa, educators and children around the globe eagerly gathered together for the chance to read, listen and connect.

Today, World Read Aloud Day has become a celebration involving millions—and the movement only continues to grow. From celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Sarah Jessica Parker to students of all ages, World Read Aloud Day helps us all celebrate the unique impact of sharing stories—building a global movement for literacy, empathy, and joy.

*2021

The Magic of LitCamp

Throughout LitWorld’s 15 year history, we have seen time and time again how access to safe, joyful learning can transform lives. These spaces are especially critical when preventing the “summer slide”: a phenomenon where children lose significant knowledge during out-of-school time. This slide can set young learners—particularly those from low-income families—back in their education by years, depriving them of the opportunity to reach their full potential.

That’s why we developed LitCamp: a breakthrough program that redefines summer learning by using social and emotional support as the gateway to literacy. Together with Scholastic, LitCamps ensure that every child has the chance they deserve to learn, grow, and thrive.

LitCamp began as a seed idea in 2010 when our partners in Harlem, NY and Nairobi, Kenya expressed their community's needs for joyful learning during out-of-school time. That summer, the LitWorld team co-created LitCamps: safe spaces for stories flexible enough to be enjoyed anywhere, any time.

In 2015, we decided to bring the joy of LitCamp to even more children by partnering with Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. Together, LitWorld and Scholastic developed a structured version of the program for summer schools across the United States. Today, LitCamp and its many iterations (including LitCamp en Español and LitCamp at Home) are run across thousands of classrooms every summer, engaging over a million young learners since 2015.

The key to our work: 15 years of partnerships

What is the secret that makes LitWorld’s programming so impactful? The answer is simple: our deep, personal relationships with the communities we serve.

At LitWorld, we know there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning. That is why we partner closely with local, grassroots organizations who understand the unique languages, cultures, hopes, and dreams of their community members. By working together as equals, we can provide the custom support needed to help children everywhere reach their full potential—and create change for generations to come.

Our Partner History

When LitWorld first began in 2007, it was with a single LitClub in Kibera, Kenya. Since then, we have partnered with over 50 organizations across over 30 countries. This extensive network of on-the-ground partners is what makes our work possible, bringing our programs to children and communities around the globe.

OUR LOCATIONS SINCE 2007

Afghanistan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, United States, Uganda, Zambia, and more*

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Join LitWorld Live

Help LitWorld celebrate 15 years by joining us every Thursday for special live events including workshops, interviews with our partners, and more! Check out our next event below, and click here to view the full schedule.

MEET OUR PARTNERS

Join the LitWorld team this Thursday at 12PM ET for the next event in our live series: A Day in the Life! Tune in via Facebook or YouTube to meet our longtime partners at Kenya Connect and experience the impact of our work in Kenya firsthand.

Missed last week's event? Click here to watch the recording of Discovering LitClubs with artist Tina Villadolid and discover the magic of LitClubs for yourself!

Looking Back: 15 years of LitClubs

All About LitClubs

When children discover the power of their voices, they discover how to change the world. That’s why LitClubs, LitWorld’s signature program, give children everywhere the opportunity that every human being deserves: a safe space to discover their voice and author their own future.

Read on to learn more about the history and impact of LitClubs, and join the LitWorld team on Facebook Live this Thursday to experience the joy of LitClub firsthand!

The first LitClub curriculum was written in 2009 by LitWorld founder Pam Allyn with input from other educators. Centered around the 7 Strengths, these revolutionary programs provide children with a space for joyful learning, creative self-expression, and community building in ways that reflect their culture.

Although LitClubs initially began as programs for children, their phenomenal impact quickly led to the development of new programs designed specifically to engage moms, teens, and more members of the community. Today, LitClubs continue to run all around the globe with over 3,000 LitKids currently enrolled in LitClubs and tens of thousands LitClub graduates from over 50 countries since 2007.

Each LitClub session includes a welcome, a read-aloud, and a core activity that explores one of the 7 Strengths (Belonging, Curiosity, Friendship, Kindness, Confidence, Courage, and Hope). Through these activities, LitClub members can explore and connect with the 7 Strengths to become confident, thoughtful, and connected members of their communities.

Watch: LitClub Girls in Post-Earthquake Nepal (2015)

LitClub is not just an after-school program. LitClub brings communities together and gives kids the confidence they need to know they can make a difference.

LitClub members become leaders in their classrooms, earning higher grades and becoming more engaged at school. They become advocates at home for their siblings, their families, and gender equality. They become change-makers in their communities, standing up for social justice and ensuring that their voices are heard by those in power.

Join Us in Celebrating 15 Years!

Dear LitWorld Friends,

This year marks LitWorld’s 15th anniversary, and we are thrilled to be celebrating this incredible milestone with you through summer and beyond! Although we made the difficult decision to postpone our in-person gala to ensure the safety and health of all, we hope you will save the date and join us for a joyful virtual birthday extravaganza on November 1!

Until then, join us as we look back at key moments in LitWorld’s history, host weekly live events to help you explore our work firsthand, and celebrate everything you have done to make these last 15 years possible.

When LitWorld was founded in 2007, it started with a simple dream: to give children a place to read, write, and share their stories—regardless of whatever barriers stood in their way. Today, LitWorld has become a global force for change, helping transform thousands of young lives around the globe through the 7 Strengths, our award-winning programs, and the incredible power of story.

Every single child, family, and community we have reached these past 15 years is all thanks to supporters like you. We are beyond grateful to have you on this journey with us, and cannot wait to celebrate everything that you have helped make possible!

Stories from the Field & Our World Read Aloud Day Impact!

Stories from the Field

At Ready for Reading in Rwanda, LitMom Claudine Uwase shared how the read-alouds in LitMom Clubs with mentor Athanasie have inspired her to to take a more active role in her family, strengthening a new generation of learners.

“Before joining the LitMom's Club, l didn’t read with my kids—not because l didn’t have time, but because I didn't know it was important. After joining LitMom's Club, I've gotten to know the importance of connecting with my kids through stories. I had considered reading with kids as a very hard task that required higher education and experience. I didn’t think that it can be started small by reading picture books... [But] I can testify that these activities are helping my family be close and stay connected.”

- Claudine

Mentor Athanasie working with local mothers during a LitMom's Club session.

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Our Impact Together

This February, millions of readers and writers joined together for a truly inspiring 13th annual World Read Aloud Day! Check out a few of the big numbers below, and click here to learn more about all of the many incredible celebrations that took place around the globe.