Literacy opens doors to the world. When individuals can read and write with proficiency, they are better able to interact as citizens, consumers, employees, entrepreneurs, and parents.

Literacy fosters positive growth. Research proves that activities such as reading aloud to children — alongside good nutrition and health — puts them ahead of those who do not experience the same thing regardless of their parents’ income, academic or cultural background. In recognition of the proven benefits, paediatricians are prescribing read aloud alongside their nutrition and health advice.

Literacy saves lives. Parents who are educated are more likely to get their children vaccinated and more likely to send them to school. Improvements in women’s education has explained reduction of child deaths in the past two decades.

Literacy teaches you to own and value your own story. There’s a clear link between literacy and a positive self-image. Building confidence as a readers, writer, listener, and speaker is transformational. These abilities are used every day to read and understand the world. More than that, reading stories gives a greater understanding of self.

Literacy breeds empathy. In addition to help us make meaning, literacy breeds empathy. Through stories and characters, we learn to feel the same feelings, share our struggles, hopes and dreams with others, and see the world the way they do.

Literacy get you to the goal. Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are 80% more likely to achieve them.

Literacy empowers. The ability to seek out information gives us the independence to make meaning and choices, to advocate for ourselves and to learn about our community and world. People who can read and write are powerful in society and studies show that literacy leads to greater self-reliance and civic engagement.