ConTextos Annual Report
Celebrating our First Year, Preparing for the Next
Dear friends, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” This Frederick Douglas quote reminds me of ConTextos’ schools, images of children laughing over picture books, intrigued by novels, questioning scientific diagrams… Ten years ago, these communities lived almost exclusively in orality. Today, ConTextos guides the transition into literacy, forming global citizens with a sense of local responsibility. Our work, creating communities of readers, sets students free to be successful in school and define their own futures. Over the past year, ConTextos has learned much about the problems that plague schools in El Salvador, throughout the region and in the under-developed world. Teachers are ill-prepared to enable students with the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Through ConTextos’ partnerships, we’ve been able to bring much-needed resources to schools. But books and materials aren’t enough. ConTextos builds capacity that goes beyond just teaching reading and writing to foster literate environments. ConTextos transforms teacher practice with results that can be measured in student experience and outcomes. As you read this, or the daily newspaper, or a good book, remember that forming readers takes more than just donated materials, but an environment that cultivates shared experiences and dialogue. The human desire to learn is strong, but sadly, millions of children learn to stop thinking at school. ConTextos changes this. As the world gets smaller and our connectedness grows stronger, we have an obligation to help all children receive an education that allows them to be successful and free. I’m proud to share all that ConTextos has accomplished and learned in this first year. These early experiences inform us to expand our work in the coming years, into more schools and more children’s lives.
Debra Gittler Founder and Executive Director