Improving the Lives of Children through Literacy

The children of Mozambique face many challenges in their life. Not just due to poverty and poor infrastructure – lack of education also limits the children’s opportunities. In Mozambique, a large number of children are not going to school due to lack of facilities and resources.

We all know the powers of literacy which is not only limited to reading and writing effectively. Benefits of literacy can contribute to economic growth, lessen poverty and crime, promote democracy, and prevent HIV/AIDS and other diseases as a result of information provision. An individual is also more self-confident, empowered individual through various reading materials.

In these tough times, RapidStudio is proud to collaborate with Livro Aberto. The organisation Livro Aberto (open book) has been working since 2007 to develop a reading culture in Mozambique by providing the children with books, educational workshops and activities that inspire them to read and write more. The children are not only given readily available books but also a chance to experience hands-on learning through reading books created from recycled materials.

Recently, Livro Alberto completed an “Author Buddy” project where unprivileged students were given an opportunity to “team up” with students from international schools. These groups were given some time to get to know each other and plan out their meeting via emails. During their excursion, the author buddies explored various historical, cultural, popular and FUN places. Using their experiences and pictures, the author buddies created books which were professionally published by Rapid Studio. These books were given to children and are also placed in Livro Alberto Children’s Library, Literacy, and Language Centre located in the public gardens of Maputo. Livro Alberto has touched and improved the lives of many children and Rapid Studio will always be at their side to promote literacy and change the lives of children in Mozambique. 

More about Livro Aberto:

Livro Aberto or ‘Open Book ’was founded in 2007 with a focus on filling the gaps in literacy education and resource access for children in Mozambique. Active within multiple communities in Maputo Province and in partnership with Peace Corps Volunteers, Livro Aberto’s literacy activities are throughout Mozambique. Livro Aberto reaches hundreds of children weekly with mobile library activities, literacy workshops in both school and community settings, and within a newly opened, Livro Aberto free public library.

Through book-publishing projects, Livro Aberto has just created a second series of Mozambican children’s books which are culturally and linguistically relevant for children living in this country and learning to read. Partnering with Goodwill Community Foundation, Maputo International School, and Bowens/Rapid Studio, Livro Aberto has had the opportunity to complete an “Author Buddies” project where children from low income community areas co-author stories with peers from an international school.