David Risher and Colin McElwee of Worldreader (worldreader.org)
Region: North America
Country: 69 countries, predominantly in Africa
Focus: Education, Technology
Worldreader is creating a future where everyone can be a reader. Using low-cost technology, a personal digital library, and a worldwide network of corporate and non-profit partners, it helps millions of people reach their potential. The global non-profit offers a collection of over 31,000 titles from over 331 publishers in 44 languages including Kiswahili, Hausa, Afrikaans, English, and more, contributing to local heritage and identity. Worldreader makes these titles available to over 17 million people in 69 countries through two means: tablet-based early reader programs designed for students and a mobile reading app designed for adults. Since 2010, 3.7 million people have read more than 15 million hours of content on the two platforms. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation determine the educational impact of Worldreader’s program Eight out of 10 library patrons report reading more, and in-school Early Grade Reading Assessment scores increase significantly versus control schools. Surveys conducted by Worldreader on mobile phones show that while girls and women make up 23% of readers on the Worldreader reading app, they consume 66% of the content, showing that digital reading has a notable positive impact on marginalised groups.
