Fiji Readers is changing the landscape of child literacy in Fiji. Through our Readers Rise Program, we are raising the literacy levels of Fijian children with a proven three-step process: 1) Send New Amazing Books; 2) Create or Rejuvenate Lending Libraries; and 3) Sustain the Literacy Gains
Step #1: Send New Amazing Asked-for Books
We've seen firsthand that the "donation dumping" practice commonly used by charities that send throwaway books —library discards, worn-out, outdated, or inappropriate books—is harmful. Fiji Readers purchases only new books from the world's leading education and children's book publishers. Not only do children respond to new, well-written and well-illustrated books with contemporary subject matter, the effect of "seeing themselves" in Pasifika-content books is particularly powerful for young readers. How do we know which books and teaching resources to send? All materials are selected in collaboration with the school principals, teachers, and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers via each year's
Readers Rise Wish Lists.
Step #2: Create/Rejuvenate Lending Libraries
Great books alone are not enough to create a love of reading. Fiji Readers works only with schools and reading programs whose staff are truly committed to improving literacy, and can draw on support from literacy coordinators and remedial reading teachers. The best way to make reading a part of children's lives is to create sustainable, high-functioning lending libraries, usually a school library. Doing so takes dedication and resources, along with substantial buy-in from school staff, parents, and members of the local community. The methodologies of our
Fiji Readers Library Manual for Primary Schools, a guide to creating school libraries, with proven strategies for making the most of the school library, and the
Fiji Readers Student Librarian program, which builds pride, responsibility, and a love of books and reading, are being utilized by many schools.
Step #3: Sustain the Literacy Gains
Trained librarians are in short supply throughout Fijji. School libraries are sustained with the help of Student Librarians, dedicated teachers, government-funded youth employment scheme workers, English department heads, parents, and community volunteers. To make sure that the books and teaching supplies are being fully utilized, Fiji Readers visits recipient schools and projects, working directly with each project. We track sustainability, help schools overcome management obstacles, train staff, implement improvements, and share best practices.
Two words: need and passion. When we're considering assisting a school, community library, reading program, or after-school youth center, first we determine whether a need is present—we want to make sure that assistance from Fiji Readers (in the form of books, learning resources, and hands-on help) will be utilized appropriately. Second, and just as important, is passion: do the educators at a prospective Readers Rise Wish Lists project have a true passion for literacy? Will they commit themselves—and enlist the aid of parents, community volunteers, and local businesses—to create, rejuvenate, and maintain a lending library for years to come?
