Books4Kids Jamaica is a non-profit organization that provides preschool children in Jamaica with books and educational resources. The organization focuses on Early Childhood Education (ECE), recognizing the critical role that reading plays in a child’s development. The charity is making a difference by promoting a culture of learning, instilling a love of learning at a young age, creating a long-term impact on their academic success and their overall well-being.
According to UNESCO, Jamaica has one of the lowest literacy rates in the Caribbean, with just 77% of the population able to read and write. This is particularly concerning for young children, as research has shown that early literacy strongly predicts future academic success.
One of the critical reasons Books4Kids Jamaica is making a difference in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector of the country, is that it addresses a crucial need for learning materials. Books4Kids Jamaica addresses this issue by providing ABC books, BrainQuest Workbooks, reading books, pencils and crayons books to children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. By providing children with the necessary books and learning materials, Books4Kids Jamaica is helping to promote early literacy and a love of reading among the youngest children in Jamaica.
Finally, Books4Kids Jamaica is making a difference because the project empowers communities and individuals to take action to improve education in their country, by offering the necessary support. By empowering individuals and communities to take an active role in improving education in Jamaica, Books4Kids Jamaica is helping to create a sustainable and long-lasting impact.
The organization’s work is helping to promote early literacy and a love of reading among young children, which can have a long-term impact on their academic success and overall well-being. Through its partnerships and fundraising initiatives, Books4Kids Jamaica is helping to create a brighter future for children in Jamaica and beyond.
About Books4Kids Jamaica
Ragni Trotta is a Board Member of Books4Kids Jamaica. Addressing an urgent and critical need, The Books4Kids Jamaica program is an Early Childhood Education (ECE) community initiative which seeks to preserve each child’s right to education through the continued provision of physical book and educational materials. Under the slogan “The future is bright, when you can read and write!,” 4 and 5 year old children receive an individual book bag containing a 360-page Brain Quest Workbook, a reading book, a pack of crayons and a pencil. The Brain Quest Workbook provides enough curriculum for an entire school year and many schools use it as their primary educational tool. Since 2007, the initiative has supplied over 300,000 books and materials to 100,000 children in 150 schools across Jamaica. With no government support, it is a community project that involves hundreds of sponsors, volunteers, principals, teachers and government officials in fundraising and distribution efforts every year.