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Learn about LitWorld's innovative solutions to the global learning crisis.
Click here to download the LitWorld Annual Report 2012.
Pam Allyn's Latest HuffPost Blog: Six Messages for a Child
As an educator and advocate for children, I get many queries after tragedy, especially about how we can help our children cope with what they have heard and seen. I hope these simple messages help.
1. Most of the time, people are trying to do the right thing.
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"
This message from Mr. Rogers is particularly helpful for a child who needs a strategy to counteract the horror of the image he sees on television or right before him. Day after day, friendly people give up seats on a train to someone who needs it more, share a gift with someone or run in the direction of danger to help, as many did in Boston. Tell these stories to a child. Put the spotlight on the helpers.
Read the full piece on the Huffington Post.
Gotham Magazine Features the LitWorld Gala 2013
Gotham Magazine knows the pulse of Manhattan and chronicles "the best of New York." We are thrilled to see the LitWorld Gala 2013 featured on gotham-magazine.com. Please join us for a warm evening to celebrate the power of story, and the power of coming together to create change.
"The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation." - Ray L. Wilbur
Pam Allyn on HuffPost Impact: The Rain is Gone, Here Comes the Sun
Today we celebrate the restoration of the Bellevue Hospital's Children's Library. In her latest HuffPost blog, Pam Allyn examines the necessity of stories, books and equitable learning opportunities to rebuild vulnerable communities after a catastrophe. We thank the Pearson Foundation's We Give Books and Reach Out and Read for partnering with us to replace the 7,000 books destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
"Hurricane Sandy caused many layers of destruction across New York, some too brutally seen under the harsh spotlight of loss, others more hidden, their own kinds of sadnesses becoming more visible as the weeks went on.
One of these sadnesses was the total destruction of the Bellevue Hospital's Children's Library. Due to severe flooding, a lovingly and painstakingly collected library of books was destroyed. When our friends at Bellevue let us know about this devastating loss it struck us at LitWorld to the core. We know how long it takes to build a library, and how much the child in the most vulnerable circumstances treasures the stories she loves. Those things are sorely missed when they are gone."
LitWorld Founder Pam Allyn for HuffPost Impact: Humankind's Greatest Innovation is the Power of Story
"In these last five years, the word "innovation" has been used more than ever before, as people express reverence for the shiny silver Mac Airs and the ever slimming look of the mobile phone.
But in truth, there is just one innovation that has withstood the test of time, fought off wars and conflict, stood tall in the face of adversity and adapted itself to the different means by which it is conveyed. This is the power of story itself."
LitWorld Facilitates Donation of 7,000 Books to Rebuild the Bellevue Hospital Library After Hurricane Sandy
Last fall Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction throughout New York. We were devastated to learn that the library at Bellevue Hospital, run by the extraordinary organization, Reach Out and Read, was destroyed due to flooding.
To facilitate the restoration of this library, LitWorld introduced two of its most cherished partners, Reach Out and Read at Bellevue Hospital, and The Pearson Foundation's We Give Books. Through our partnership with these organizations we are replacing the 7,000 books lost during Hurricane Sandy.
On Wednesday, April 10, We Give Books will be bringing an exciting ReadMobile Event to Bellevue Hospital. The LitWorld team will be on site reading aloud with the children at Bellevue Hospital and sharing information about our work and our longstanding partnerships with these two great organizations.
Meet Hadeer, A Fellow of the Bush Center's Women's Initiative
The Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative Fellowship is designed to enhance the leadership skills of women around the world. A critical component of the Fellowship is mentoring. Prominent American women are paired with Fellows who share their same profession. LitWorld's Executive Director, Pam Allyn, is mentoring Hadeer Maher, a brilliant social entrepreneur from Egypt. Here is more about Hadeer in her own words.
"My most significant role to my society was being the leader of more than 40 young people, motivating them to become active in their society and to start a social entrepreneurial project. My vision was to plant a developmental idea in a rural village and to spread the culture of reading and self-development to youth and children in that village.
The nearest school was an hour away, and I got the idea of building a book shelf just outside every house in this village. We also made lots of developmental workshops for the youth there to help spread some hygienic and self-developmental awareness. We let them learn what jobs and careers the outside world has to offer and to see what the isolation hides from them.
I envision Egypt as one of the greatest country in the MENA region by 2023. I want to be part of this development field in Egypt, maybe I can play a part in the registration of social entrepreneurship projects and let everyone know the difference between charity and development. I will work as hard as I can not to let any child live on the streets anymore, and work towards women's empowerment in Egypt."
Click to learn more about the Bush Center's Women's Initiative.