After visiting a Nepal school house with only 30 books that were locked in a cabinet as a scarce resource, John Wood, Room to Read’s founder and author of bestseller Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, knew he had to help. Leaving his corporate career he gathered his troops and set about transforming the lives of children in developing countries through reading. In collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, Room to Read develops literacy skills, a habit of reading among primary school children, and encourages girls to complete secondary school with relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
Most recently they’ve partnered with the International Cricket Council for the Cricket World Cup. One player from each of the 14 competing teams at the tournament has revealed their favourite book creating the ultimate World Cup reading list. Room to Read and the ICC hope to promote the importance of reading and to raise awareness of the work that Room to Read does in offering educational opportunities to young people.
Among the player choices are: Andre Agassi’s ‘Open’ selected by both Shane Watson and Virat Kohli, Zimbabwe’s Graeme Cremer selected “It’s Not About The Bike” by Lance Armstrong and 1984 by George Orwell was selected by Ireland’s Ed Joyce.
“Children who walk through library doors are better equipped to walk through others. Without books, kids can’t learn. Teachers can’t teach. And communities can’t turn out responsible, empowered citizens. As the foundation to a lifetime of learning, reading can jump start one’s chances of employment. In just 10 years, Room to Read has established more than 10,000 libraries in the developing world and filled them 7 million books.”
For more info on how Room to Read effectively uses Twitter as a non-profit click here and follow @Roomtoread.
Cheers to opening libraries throughout the developing world at the same rate that Starbucks opens new outlets. Dream big!
doGood. feelGood. liveGood.
-Team thinkGood.
Tags: Cricket World Cup, ICC, John Wood, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, Room to Read