Donate today and open a world of possibilities for a child
We believe every child should be able to read and write to enjoy lifelong learning and empowerment. Your contribution will enhance the literacy skills of children.
Your Donation Makes a Real Difference
Your support provides children with access to literacy resources, reading programs and better trained teachers so they can reach their full potential.
Last year, thanks to supporters like you, 3240 children, young people and families were supported to develop their literacy skills.
Children or parents accessed our services
Books distributed
Reading sessions
Locations
Volunteer hours donated to our projects
Children benefited from Dingo software
How Your Donation Will Help
Your contribution will develop the literacy skills of children living in the world’s most deprived communities. 92% of online donations are allocated to our literacy programs. Administration costs are covered by corporate and philanthropic funding, so you can rest assured your donation will get as many literacy packs and reading support as possible into the hands of children who need them the most.
5 USD
Could provide a child with an engaging literacy pack complete with a book, stationery, literacy workbook and tips for the whole family.
10 USD
Could provide a child with 3 new stories or literacy activities, pre-loaded on to our app.
25 USD
Could support our reading sessions in Manizales for 35 children.
200 USD
Could provide a Colombian child with a new Dingo Tablet and support our teacher’s training.
In-Kind Donations
There are other ways to support our work! By donating your pre-loved items to Aprende Leyendo, they will get a second life while you help disadvantaged children to develop their literacy skills.
If you are located in Colombia contact us to discuss this option further.
Meet Esther!
Ten-year-old Esther’s big brown eyes light up as she talks about the Aprendo Leyendo program. “I enjoy coming every week because Miss Paulina teaches us to read and write!” she says enthusiastically.
In many ways, Esther is like most young girls. She loves wearing pink clothes and the fantasy of fairy tales and unicorns. But her life isn’t easy. She lives with 15 family members in a small bamboo and concrete house in the humble neighborhood of El Carmen in Manizales, Colombia. Three generations cram the two-level home, and the rooms are divided by curtains instead of walls.
Esther and her four siblings are raised by her single mother. Her 60-year-old mom, Melinda, works Monday to Saturday cleaning houses to provide the basics for her family. Despite all, her family is close and makes the best of things because they have no choice.
Esther is in third grade and goes to a public school. Although it’s funded by the government, resources are very limited, and the quality of education is extremely low. Though the school’s been closed for months now due to COVID-19.
Luckily, Esther’s been able to keep attending the Aprende Leyendo program every week since she was six with her younger brother, Angel Fabian. The program has been a vital resource to keep them learning during the school shutdowns. Program Manager, Paula Correa, helped set up the reading room at a local community hub in 2014 to give disadvantaged children access to books, mentoring and help improve their reading.
Like many other children facing poverty and hardship in Colombia, Esther had no books at home. Aprende Leyendo and the World Literacy Foundation donated food, clothes, and books to her family, so now Esther can read at home too. Esther wants to be a policewoman when she grows up to take care of people in her community. We think her dream will come true because the gift of literacy opens endless possibilities for children in need. Thanks to your support we can help disadvantaged children in Latin America by providing them with quality educational resources and support to change their futures and break their cycle of poverty.
Together, We Can Change Esther's life!
Without any effective reading intervention, children like Esther are simply at high risk of becoming functional illiterate adults. We must prioritize the needs of those who are in a disadvantaged condition to ensure free and inclusive education for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you will receive an email once your donation has been approved. If you do not receive your receipt within 48 hours, please e-mail us at hola@aprendeleyendo.com or contact our head office in Australia at +61 3 9995 0079.
Yes, donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Your donation will help Colombian children from disadvantaged backgrounds who are struggling to read and need literacy support. We offer weekly reading sessions in Manizales and we run our Dingo program in other 4 rural locations. Learn more.
Yes, we receive donations by bank transfer:
For Latin America
Bancolombia
Account name: Fundacion Aprende Leyendo
Account: 85900017061
NIT: 901239830
SWIFT: COLOCOBM | SWIFT (11 characters): COLOCOBMXXX