Rasco From RIF

Celebrating International Literacy Day!

September 8th, 2009

Hi, I’m Cammie Backus, senior director of executive office operations at RIF.

In the spirit of celebrating International Literacy Day, today we spotlight the two international literacy programs that share RIF’s name: RIF Argentina/Fundación Leer and RIF UK.

Both of these organizations were founded in the mid-1990s by individuals who wished to establish literacy programs in their own countries and worked with RIF in the United States to learn more about our programs and outreach. Although they are licensed to use the RIF name, both RIF Argentina and RIF UK are managed and funded independently from RIF in the U.S.

RIF UK is part of the National Literacy Trust and works with approximately 20,000 children in 300 different locations across the United Kingdom. Like RIF kids in the U.S., RIF UK children—affectionately known as “Rifsters”—select books to keep and participate in fun activities during RIF distributions.

In 2009, RIF UK celebrated the fifth year of their Summer Read program. Summer Read is funded by the WHSmith Trust and brings together storytelling, arts and crafts activities, and book distributions for over 3,000 children at libraries and community centers across the country.

Since 1996, RIF Argentina has provided over 1.1 million books to more than 520,000 children. In Argentina, many families and children experience significant barriers to literacy and education. To reach these families, RIF Argentina emphasizes educating parents, teachers, and community members in the fundamentals of children’s literacy.

Besides providing books for children’s personal ownership, RIF Argentina has also established children’s reading corners in libraries and community gathering places. This year, they will operate the Seventh Maratón Nacional de Lectura (National Reading Marathon) to encourage children across the country to read for enjoyment.

-Cammie

Filed under: Children's Books, International Reading Day

Tags: International Literacy Day, RIF Argentina/Fundacion Leer, RIF UK