A child-centered and sustainable approach in teaching underserved Kenyan children to read and enjoy the learning process.
When 60% of Kenyan children at reading age can’t read the sentence “That storybook is good,” we feel the urgency and step in to change that. At Watoto Wasome, we believe every child deserves to experience the joy of words, the magic of storybooks, and the confidence of reading. We see this when Hera, a 6-year-old girl with a learning disability, confidently identifies letter-sounds. And in Pendo, a 9-year-old who glows after finally reading the word “which.” These moments remind us that every child holds potential when given the right tools and that literacy can transform lives.
Over 5 million children in grades 3 to 8 in Kenya cannot read a simple grade 2 text, showing a critical gap in foundational literacy skills. This crisis is often because they have limited to no access to quality education and resources, severely hindering their ability to thrive in school and beyond.
We bridge the literacy gap through interactive play-based learning, educator training, and community involvement, to help children develop a love for sounds and words, build positive reading attitudes, and nurture the skills they need to read and succeed.
We have supported over 300 children with literacy improvements of more than 60% and distributed 200+ storybooks to children who have never owned their own. We have also trained over 80 volunteers and teachers in our playful, child-centered approach.
Date Last Updated: 20 June 2025
Date Last Updated: 8 September 2024
Schools & Homes
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with Watoto Wasome
The more the hands. the more children learn to love reading.
