Room to Read Expands into Africa

This spring, Room to Read's Board unanimously approved management's decision to expand into South Africa as our first African country. This decision represents the culmination of nearly a year of research and strategizing on global expansion opportunities.

The Africa Expansion Study began with a narrowing of potential countries down to a targeted list of 20, based on advice from African experts and a preliminary review of macro economic and educational indicators. Consultant Stacey Warner, now Room to Read's Global Program Officer for monitoring & evaluation, was hired to conduct an extensive study to identify a short list of possible expansion countries and to assist with the hiring of an Africa Regional Director. A thorough comparative analysis was conducted using various economic, political, and educational indicators to help Room to Read better understand both the challenges and the opportunities that might arise in various national contexts. After several rounds of research and analysis, the list was finally shortened to two countries - Ethiopia and South Africa - both considered ideal initial African countries due to their conduciveness to education and donor interest.

Next, Stacey began an intense month-long, on the ground investigation in both countries. Extensive meetings were conducted with local NGO's, the Ministries of Education, and various officials, to gain a thorough understanding of Room to Read's ability to operate effectively and efficiently in these countries. During this time, interviews were held with the most qualified of the several hundred applicants for the Africa Regional Director position. Upon her return to the US, comprehensive country research and Regional Director finalists were presented to Room to Read's Management Team. After careful consideration, Management unanimously selected South Africa as our first African country. In addition, the list of Africa Regional Director candidates was narrowed and further interviews were conducted in San Francisco. In March, after meeting and impressing everyone at Headquarters, Ms. Lizzy Tichareva became our Africa Regional Director. Based in South Africa, she will manage our expansion throughout Africa, hire and oversee each of the Africa country directors, and ensure that our programs have a measurable impact on the children of Africa.

We are very excited to embark on this challenging, monumental new journey to give the lifelong gift of education to children throughout Africa. In 2006, our goal is to launch our flagship Reading Room program, along with our Local Language Publishing Program in South Africa. As opportunities arise in the region, we will implement further programmatic and geographic expansion.

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
By John Wood (Harper Collins)

We are excited to announce that our Founder and CEO, John Wood, has written an inspiring account of his transformation from corporate executive to social entrepreneur. John's book, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, goes on sale August 29th. John vividly recounts his life-altering decision in the Himalayas and chronicles the Room to Read story from its infancy - lessons, stumbles, and successes.

Publishers Weekly lauds the book "an infectiously inspiring read..."

John will be on the road this fall promoting the book and talking about Room to Read - we will keep you posted on the events near you.

Please help us spread the word - sign up as a "buzz agent" to receive news and information on the book, as well as to receive a teaser chapter: www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com

To preorder a copy of the book please visit:

Room to Read has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years. Our hiring continues as we seek dedicated, passionate, energetic candidates to fill six key new positions within the organization, both at International Headquarters in San Francisco and in some of our countries. There are positions available in Finance, Programs, Administration, and Development.

For more information, please visit: www.roomtoread.org/about/employment.html

Throughout the spring, Room to Read's phenomenal Volunteer Chapters have been hard at work hosting successful fundraisers. Our chapters in Seattle, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Diego and Atlanta have raised a total of over $260,000 through a variety of events in the past several months!

Room to Read's volunteers are a group of dedicated and committed global citizens whose focus on fundraising allows us to keep our overhead low while we continue to offer educational opportunities to thousands of children in the developing world. If you are interested in hosting a fundraising event or volunteering with an existing chapter, please visit www.roomtoread.org/involvement/chapters.html to fill out a volunteer application form.

During the fall, our global Volunteer Chapters will be planning numerous events. For more information and to see if there is a Room to Read event near you, please visit: www.roomtoread.org/involvement/events.html

• Room to Read was profiled in the May 15th issue of the International Edition of Newsweek.
• In early June, John Wood was featured on CNN's Forward Thinking, which was subsequently played on Headline News. The focus of the piece was on his decision to leave Microsoft to start Room to Read and on the impact the organization has had to date.
• We officially opened our first International Development office in the United Kingdom, which is headed by Development Director Bella Berns. With nearly 2 years experience with Room to Read's Development Team in San Francisco, Bella will focus on expanding Room to Read's fundraising efforts in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and mainland Europe.
• We are currently redesigning our website! Stay tuned for the unveiling of a new look and feel, to be launched later this summer.
• San Francisco Day School and Bermuda High School each held hugely successful read-a-thons as part of our Students Helping Students program, collectively raising US$15,000! With the funds raised they will co-sponsor a new Nepali local language book to come out later this summer. The remaining funds will be used to sponsor girls' scholarships and a library in Nepal.

Room to Read Sri Lanka Selects Room to Grow Scholars - A First Hand Account
By Meera Pathmarajah
Room to Read Asia Regional Program Officer

One of the highlights of my time working with our amazing Sri Lanka team was participating in the inaugural selection process for our Room to Grow Scholarship program in Sri Lanka. Working hand in hand with our local NGO partner, we selected the first 50 girls to participate in what we hope to be a hugely successful program there.

Sri Lanka Room to Grow Scholars

Selecting the girls most appropriate for the program required a thorough process and the utmost dedication on the part of our staff. In the initial phase, our two selection panels met with and interviewed 90 girls. Subsequently, we visited the homes of 65 selected girls to verify their financial situation. It was such a contradictory feeling to see the dire conditions that many families live in, yet see how connected they are with the natural beauty that surrounds their homes. The charm of tea plantation estates in Hatton - central Sri Lanka - compliments the innocence and sincerity of girls and their families. I was consistently overwhelmed by feelings of respect, admiration and wonder for these families and their lives.

Many local schools only go up to grade five, so if a child wants to pursue her studies further, she has very few options and must travel long distances. A large number of girls must walk 1½ hours to school, making their total daily travel time three hours by foot, though they don't make a big deal about it. While leading me to her home, one girl charged through a rigorous mountainous hike and sped across a long, wobbly, scary bridge, while I panted and sweated furiously to keep up with her.

One story that particularly captivated me was about a girl named Ranjani. She now attends Grade 6 in Binnoya, a very remote school in the hilly highlands of Sri Lanka. Her father is paralyzed and does not work. Her mother works on the tea plantations in neighboring estates. At the start of school enrollment in January, her mother did not have the 300 rupees (US$3) it would take to enroll her in Grade 6. She had missed five months of school when Room to Read and our partners went to her home to interview her. Ranjani was subsequently selected by our panel as a Room to Grow Scholar and recently participated in the Scholarship Award ceremony this June in Hatton. She now not only has the fees to attend school, but more importantly, the care and monitoring to ensure that she does not lack the essentials in pursuing her right to an education.

Hearing these types of stories from the girl scholars and witnessing their poverty first hand is an experience that is immediately humbling. I know these families are truly grateful for Room to Read's support. Making sure that these girls complete their education is one of the best things we can do. Thank goodness for our hardworking Sri Lanka team!

Room to Read Works Through Nepal and Sri Lanka Instability

Political instability is an accepted challenge of working in the developing world. In the past few months, heightened political tensions have aversely affected our ability to work in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, our local teams have maintained their steadfast dedication to the communities in which we work and have continued to make progress on our committed projects.

In Nepal, March was marked by a month of nationwide pro-democracy protests and strikes to reinstate parliament. These strikes closed down much of Kathmandu, as the government implemented curfews that essentially shut down the city. Despite their unwavering dedication and clever creativity, our Nepal team was unable to do much of their work for most of the month, but instead was focused on day-to-day safety in Kathmandu. Thankfully, after nearly a month of protests, King Gyanendra yielded to the people's demands. Since then the Maoists have declared a ceasefire and Parliament has been reinstated, raising hopes that a peaceful resolution can be reached ending a decade-long conflict. Events this spring have caused some delays for our projects, but with the Maoists and Government now joined in partnership, increased stability will hopefully allow us to recover some of the lost time and, if the peace remains, expand our geographic presence in Nepal.

A similar rise in tensions has plagued Sri Lanka over the last 6 months. The ongoing civil strife between the government and the Tamil rebels has escalated recently, raising concerns that the island is sliding back into civil war after four years of relative peace. Strict curfews, numerous army checkpoints, and cumbersome permit requirements have hindered our teams ability to work efficiently. One casualty of the increased tension was our local team's decision to relocate a dozen projects in and around Trincomalee to other tsunami-impacted areas that are not as dangerous and troublesome to work in. Our Sri Lanka team continues to monitor the situation to ensure that it is safe for them to continue working in various areas.

Choose GOOD and Help Room to Read

A new magazine, GOOD, will be launching nationally this September with the purpose of providing an "entertaining, thought-provoking, cultural platform for those who want to do well by doing good." This includes bold photographic tours of creative, progressive happenings in the world, a highlight of the best products for a conscientious lifestyle, and features on the most interesting people, ideas and institutions working to make change happen in the world.

As part of their launch, GOOD selected 12 organizations to partner with, including Room to Read. When signing up for a subscription to GOOD, you can designate your $20 subscription fee to be donated directly to our work! You not only get a great magazine, but your full subscription price will be donated back to Room to Read! Our mutual goal is to raise $60,000 (through 3,000 subscribers) and establish 30 libraries throughout Southeast Asia.

Check out GOOD at www.goodmagazine.com. See for yourself, and if you like what they are doing, we hope you will subscribe and support Room to Read. You can sign up for your subscription at: www.goodmagazine.com/choosegood/roomtoread

For those of you in the Bay Area, GOOD is hosting a GOOD Party in San Francisco on July 14th.

Search and Support

Room to Read is pleased to announce a partnership with www.everyclick.com! This is an internet search engine making a big difference - it donates half its revenues to charity. Room to Read was chosen as one of the listed charities, and supporters can help raise money for Room to Read either by registering at www.everyclick.com and selecting Room to Read as your charity of choice, or by referring other people to the site. Check out their website at: www.everyclick.com/uk/roomtoread and start clicking!

Working Assets Voting Continues

If you are a Working Assets Customer, don't forget to vote for Room to Read on the 2006 Working Assets Donations Ballot! To vote, please go to: www.WorkingAssets.com/vote