After reading an article in Delta's Sky Magazine about Room to Read, we were inspired to get involved with this amazing organization that is working to fight illiteracy in the developing world. When we contacted Room to Read to ask how we could help, they were very excited about our interest in their programs. After discussing possible opportunities, the Kitab Project was formed with the idea to raise funds in support of Room to Read’s mission to provide under-privileged children with the lifelong gift of education. Together, we believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and taking control of one’s own life.

Room to Read’s strategy includes four types of programs (Reading Room, School Room, Computer and Language Room, and Room to Grow). We believe each of the programs is equally important and support Room to Read’s diverse efforts to address the problems of rural education, but we have decided to focus our efforts on the Reading Room program focused on building libraries.

Did you know that it only takes $2,000 to get a library started in India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia? In other words, if a rural community adopts the project and meets the requirements of Room to Read’s challenge grant program, $2,000 can helps to build that library and fill it with multi-lingual books. With that in mind, our goal is to raise $30,000 by July 31, 2006. That money will be donated to Room to Read’s Reading Room program to build 15 libraries (10 in India and 1 Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia). We support efforts to promote literacy throughout Southeast Asia so we want to raise funds for libraries in all of these countries, but we decided to focus the bulk of our efforts in India because many of our Project Team members have familial roots there.

100% of the money we raise will be donated to Room to Read and earmarked for their Reading Room program. If we are able to exceed our goal, we will be able to build more libraries. When we reach our goal, two things will happen. First, for every 5 libraries we raise funds for, 1 will be dedicated to the Kitab Project with a plaque. Also, for these dedicated libraries, we will receive completion reports that provide us information about the location, local community, library staffing, and number of children impacted.

Room to Read's school building program has been successful largely because it requires community buy-in and involvement. The community is required to invest both funds and labor towards the construction of their school. Villages are selected by in-country teams on the basis of three criteria:

 1. The village must initiate the request: By working only with those villages that request their services, Room to Read ensures that villages share the belief of the value of education for their children.

 2. The village must pass a thorough needs assessment: Before committing to a village, Room To Read’s in-country representatives must be satisfied that there is a genuine need for a new or refurbished school in that community - both in terms of existing capital infrastructure and the existence of a significant population of school-aged children.

The village must sign a "Challenge Grant" contract. This contract stipulates that the village (a) must manage the construction process; (b) use an agreed upon blueprint (ensuring schools are built safely and cost effectively); and (c) invest funds, materials, land and/or labor to the effort.

Click here to Get involved!. Make a donation, tell you friends about the project, sign up to receive updated on our project (link). We will keep you updated on our efforts and let you know when we reach our goal. Please contact us info@kitabproject.org with any questions about our project. We hope you will join us in the fight against illiteracy.

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