Community-led and Powered Education

We help children read, write, and do basic math by building foundational skills, strengthening education systems, and training community education teams.

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A global education crisis

Sub-Saharan Africa exhibits some of the lowest literacy and numeracy rates for primary-aged children in the world, with 90% of 10-year-old children in Sub-Saharan Africa unable to read a simple text.

We are committed to a country-led, community-powered approach to addressing this education crisis. Our work centers on mobilizing communities around education for their children, to deliver basic education through our signature program, Roots to Rise. We also partner with governments to support broader education systems, creating sustainable change.

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9/10

Of 10-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa experience learning poverty (UNESCO, 2017).

8/10

children in sub-Saharan Africa do not meet grade-level proficiency in numeracy (UNESCO, 2022).

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Building Foundational Skills

Roots to Rise: our signature program

Roots to Rise is our signature literacy and numeracy program. Implementers deliver lessons in classrooms and communities to ensure all children have access to quality education.

Roots to Rise is a proven program, creating impact for primary-aged children in just 40 hours of instruction. It combines targeted instruction and structured pedagogy with inclusive learning practices, such as social-emotional learning and Universal Design for Learning.

Effective: bringing more than 70% of participants to grade level in literacy and numeracy, from baselines of less than 16%

Inclusive: reaching girls and children with disabilities through inclusive approaches and tailored support

Learn how we Build Foundational Skills

Learner leads a syllable chart activity during a literacy community-based camp in Bugweri district, Eastern Uganda.

ESS Coordinator Joseph Gitta and local government officials exchange ideas at a co-creation meeting.

Strengthening Education Systems

Collaborating to solve education challenges

We partner with governments at all levels to improve learning outcomes, a cornerstone of our work since day one. Together, we assess needs, co-create solutions, mobilize communities, and train instructors in Roots to Rise.

In addition to work at the central level, we provide technical assistance to selected districts through Education Systems Strengthening Coordinators. Together, local governments and communities recruit thousands of Community Education Volunteers who deliver Roots to Rise lessons.

Learn about our Education Systems Strengthening

Training Community Education Teams

Building education teams to prioritize education

Community Education Teams (CETs) deliver Roots to Rise, enroll out-of-school children, and engage communities in their children’s learning.

CETs bring together Building Tomorrow Fellows, trained teachers, Community Education Volunteers, engaged parents, and local leaders. Guided by our mission of community-powered learning, this model builds lasting, locally driven education ecosystems that continue beyond our Fellows’ two-year terms.