Code 2013 update

NCODE 2013 Update s

Another year has gone by and CODE is very proud of the meaningful impact we’ve had in the world in 2013 by helping children to learn to read and write — by working with local authors, illustrators, editors and publishers, by producing and distributing high-quality and culturally-relevant books, by resourcing libraries, by training teachers and training trainers. Thanks to the support of our donors, we can, each year, continue to build a world where every child can read and write and unleash their full potential for a better future. We thought we’d share with you some of the highlights of 2013.

Reading Liberia/Reading Sierra Leone Collection Continues to Grow Last year, CODE celebrated a major milestone in its Reading Sierra Leone program with the publication of the first eight Reading Sierra Leone books. Written and illustrated by Sierra Leoneans, the books tell compelling contemporary stories that children and youth from the country can identify with. Through the Reading Sierra Leone program, CODE and its partner PEN Sierra Leone are creating and supporting literate environments in the country by engaging children through reading and writing and inviting them to think, to learn and to improve their lives. They are also striving to develop a sustainable publishing industry for children’s books in post-conflict Sierra Leone. Combined with the books published as part of Reading Sierra Leone’s sister program Reading Liberia, the collection now includes 31 locally-produced books for young readers

Liberian students using the Reading Liberia books in the classroom. (Photo by B.D. Colen)

from Grade 1 to 6 – and many more are in the works.

In addition to copies of the books distributed to schools and libraries in Sierra Leone and Liberia through CODE’s programs, our Liberian partner the WE-CARE Foundation was able to secure purchase agreements through the Ministry of Education’s Teacher Training Program with funding from the World Bank. This means that, in Liberia alone, over 400,000 high-quality books have been made accessible to youth so far. These purchase agreements not only speak to the quality of the books produced and ensure that more children will get access to engaging, culturally-relevant books, but also contribute to the economic sustainability of CODE’s local partners – an essential part (Photo by B.D. Colen)

of our programs.

Tanzanian Girls Receive Leadership Training, Inspire Younger Peers to Learn

CODE Welcomes New Director of International Programs

In an effort to foster school and community-based reading as well as

In the summer, CODE welcomed a new member to its team in Ottawa. Eric Slade was appointed Director of International

to provide an opportunity for young women, CODE’s local partner

Programs.

the Children’s Book Project (CBP) trained 40 female secondary

Eric brings over 15 years of experience in international development as well as education to CODE.

school graduates (age 14-18) to become Reading Coaches who will

Having served as a teacher and teacher educator in schools in several African countries, then moving on

be leading after-school reading clubs and library outreach. These

to act as an education program manager and advisor for a not-for-profit organization, Eric has a strong

young women will be supported by the teachers at the school and

understanding of the education needs, issues and challenges of the developing world.

by CBP’s training coordinator, who is based in Kongwa. The girls

Prior to joining CODE, Eric held several positions at Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian

were trained on how to facilitate reading sessions, reading clubs, and

organization dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. He worked

other promotional activities for children in lower and middle grades,

both in the field, in Niger and Angola, and from the organization’s Dublin, Ireland offices. Most recently,

in addition to providing more outreach with parents and the wider

as Concern Worldwide’s Global Education Advisor, he was responsible for education programs in 15

community. These activities are geared towards enabling children to come together to share the joy of reading books.

Two of the young women working as Reading Coaches.

Now that the ground work has been laid for this program, we look forward to seeing positive results from the girls and the students in coming years. The young female Reading Coaches will gain leadership skills and will receive ongoing support so they can improve their own literacy skills, which will help them in their future employment possibilities. They will be empowered to become leaders of change in their community and play an important role at the school as positive and inspiring role models to help more children enjoy and practice reading.

developing countries. Eric is an associate at the Centre for International Education at the University of

Eric Slade

Sussex. In addition to English, he also speaks French, Kiswahili and Portuguese. CODE is excited to add such an experienced and passionate individual as Eric to its team.

CODE at The Word on the Street Festival On September 23rd, CODE participated in The Word on

Valerie Hussey Joins CODE Ambassadors CODE was honoured to welcome Valerie Hussey as its newest Ambassador in 2013. A recipient of the Order of Canada for her work in publishing and philanthropy, Valerie is an important figure of children’s publishing in Canada. She’s collaborated with CODE in the past, having worked with Kenyan publishers and helped to launch the Kitabu House, Kenya Children’s Book Project in Nairobi in 1996. Chaired by Peter Mansbridge, the CODE Ambassadors is a panel of distinguished Canadians who care about international education and support our long term success in delivering quality literacy programs to children. Under the patronage of the Governor-General, these outstanding citizens help open doors and guide our work.

the Street Toronto, Canada’s largest literary festival. In its 23rd edition, the event turned Queen’s Park Circle into a book and magazine lover’s paradise by showcasing Canada’s hottest new books and authors, as well as the best Canadian magazines. CODE’s booth showcased some of the books published through our programs as well as Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature finalists. We also had the visit of many CODE expert-volunteers who shared their experiences with visitors. In addition, children got the opportunity to make postcards about reading, which will be distributed to students benefitting from CODE’s programs in a developing country we work in. It was a great day and

Valerie Hussey

we’re looking forward to next year’s edition!

Children made postcards about reading to be distributed to children benefitting from CODE’s programs in Africa.

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None of these milestones could have been achieved without the support of our donors. If you want to help CODE continue to have a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children around the world in 2014 and beyond, please show your support by making a donation now at www.codecan.org/donate/donate-now. Or, consider becoming a monthly donor and help us throughout the year. Every dollar counts!