Donate to United Way Nigeria’s Literacy Campaign for Underserved Kids

As a proud extension of a global legacy, United Way Nigeria focuses on lifting communities by improving access to quality education, healthcare, and financial stability, with an emphasis on underserved populations. We don’t just fund programs—we build movements that drive systemic change.

We are seeking to raise $75,000 to launch and expand a community-powered literacy and reading initiative that reaches the children most at risk of being left behind.

The Challenges

In Nigeria today, over 10 million children are out of school—the highest rate globally. Even among those enrolled, too many lack access to books, proper instruction, or quiet places to read. Many communities have no libraries, no reading corners, and no structured literacy support. Children are eager to learn, but the tools simply don’t exist.

Low literacy is both a cause and a consequence of generational poverty. Without the ability to read, a child’s chances of completing school, finding decent employment, or engaging meaningfully in society plummet.

Yet the problem isn’t just systemic—it’s deeply personal. It’s the 9-year-old girl in Kano who hides in shame because she can’t sound out words. The boy in Ajegunle who dropped out after failing his first reading test because he had never seen a storybook before.

Without intervention, these children risk falling through the cracks forever.

Why It Matters

This initiative is not just about books—it’s about breaking cycles of inequality.

By promoting literacy, United Way Nigeria aims to:

• Empower children to unlock their imagination and potential.

• Strengthen schools and communities with tangible, lasting educational support.

• Equip youth with the skills needed for the digital economy and entrepreneurship.

• Foster a love of reading, which is proven to boost academic performance and long-term success.

When a child learns to read, everything changes. They gain confidence. They dream bigger. They take ownership of their future. And when enough children learn to read, entire communities transform.

Solution

United Way Nigeria’s Promoting Literacy and Reading Program is a multi-pronged, community-rooted solution designed to create lasting educational impact. Funds will go directly toward program rollout, books, materials, training, digital resources, and community events.

1. Create Community Reading Hubs

• Establish 20+ literacy centers in underserved areas.

• Equip each hub with age-appropriate books, shelves, and mats.

• Serve as safe, welcoming spaces for children to read, explore, and grow

2. Distribute Books & Learning Materials

• Provide storybooks, textbooks, and activity kits to over 5,000 children.

• Focus on both in-school and out-of-school youth.

• Partner with schools and community leaders for targeted outreach.

3. Train Literacy Volunteers & Mentors

• Recruit and train 200+ local volunteers.

• Provide training in child-friendly teaching, reading techniques, and inclusive learning.

4. Inspire a Reading Culture Through Community Events

• Host reading festivals, spelling bees, and storytelling workshops.

• Involve parents and caregivers in creating reading-friendly homes.

5. Support Digital and Vocational Literacy

• Introduce digital reading tools and vocational literacy training for youth 15+.

• Align with job-readiness programs to prepare youth for economic participation.

Thank you for believing in a future where every Nigerian child can read, dream, and rise. Together, we are turning pages and changing lives.