For years, decades, actually, Bread and Water for Africa® has been working to provide an education for thousands of orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa whose fondest wish is to attend school where they would learn to read and obtain the education they need to become successful and self-reliant in adulthood.

Tuesday, September 8, is the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Literacy Day (ILD), designed to highlight “the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful and sustainable society,” states UNESCO.

“Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship.

“Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet.”

Among the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, and clean water and sanitation, is that of a quality education.

“When people have access to quality education, they can finally break free from the cycle of poverty,” states the UN.

While progress is being made worldwide (completion rates for primary, secondary and upper secondary school increased), that’s not the case in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the UN, which reports:

“Regional gaps remain stark, as only two in three children in sub-Saharan Africa complete primary school on time.”

Additionally, reports the UN:

“Least developed countries face the greatest challenges in equipping schools with basic resources. The situation is critical at the primary level, where up to half of all schools lack basic sanitation, more than half lack electricity, and over two-thirds are without digital tools. These inequalities will only worsen unless we actively close the digital divide.”

This year’s ILD theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” sums up well our efforts in sub-Saharan African countries including the Republic of Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to help ensure thousands of children and youth have the opportunity to attend school without fear of being turned away due to a lack of ability to pay school fees.

In 2026 alone, thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, we sponsored 279 orphaned and destitute primary and secondary students and trade school youth of the villages of Lolo, Moundou and Njamena in Chad were sponsored through our partnership with Hope International Foundation.

Among them is Christine Amnoudii, who told us that “ever since I lost my father, Hope International Foundation (which operates our school fees support program in the country) and Bread and Water for Africa® have been there to assist me with my studies.

“I want to wholeheartedly thank the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® for the support they have been giving me by paying my school fees for three years now.

“I wish to become a medical doctor in the future in order to save lives, and also help other children with paying their school fees as well.”

In Kenya, this past year, 60 high school students from the Nairobi slum of Kibera (among the largest on the continent of Africa) had their wishes come true when they learned that would be sponsored through the Bread and Water for Africa® school fees support program.

Faith Atieno is a bright student who attended the Seed School, a primary school in Kibera where she excelled in her studies. But as she comes from a large family with limited income, it was difficult to meet her school-related expenses.

Today, through the school fees support program, she is attending the Sunrise Girls’ High School in Tala Town, Kenya, where she can focus on her studies without worry of being sent home because of unpaid school fees.

Sharing her gratitude to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, Faith says: “Thank you for believing in me and helping me stay in school.

“Coming from a big family has not been easy, but your support has given me peace and the chance to work hard.

“I am determined to keep shining academically and make you proud.”

And in Zimbabwe, our school fee support program benefited 79 primary and secondary school students from the villages of Dora East and Dora West and surrounding areas, along with the provision of

Terrence Gumanyi grew up in rural Dora where his family worked tirelessly to make ends meet, and despite his exceptional academic ability and strong determination, financial hardship threatened his education.

However, through the Bread and Water for Africa® school fees assistance program, combined with uninterrupted learning, consistent attendance and the encouragement of his teachers, the result was excellent scores on his exams.

Today, his success has become a source of pride for his family and an inspiration to other young people in Dora Village.

And Terrence wants the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® to know: “Growing up in a rural community taught me to work hard and never give up, but financial challenges often made me worry about whether I would finish school.

“The support from Bread and Water for Africa® and Shinga Development Trust (which operates the school fees support program) allowed me to focus on my education without that burden.

“Your support has shown me that my dreams are valid, and I am determined to use my education to make a positive difference in my community.”

Additionally, over the years, Bread and Water for Africa® has shipped hundreds of thousands of text and reference books for use in schools in countries including Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as thousands of combined desks (a single, integrated piece of classroom furniture that permanently attaches a student seat to a writing surface or desktop), benefiting students in Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.

In Gondar, Ethiopia, last year the provision of combined desks (a single, integrated piece of classroom furniture that permanently attaches a student seat to a writing surface or desktop) benefited more than 480 students at two primary schools.

And in Wollega, Ethiopia, more than 27,250 students benefited from the donation of more than 23,500 text and reference books to 24 primary, middle and high schools for use in the schools’ libraries for the benefit of all students.

“Students do better academically and earn higher grades, which allows them to enroll in the national and international colleges of their choice.” Dr. Gemeda told us.

Additionally, in the villages of Makeni and Bo in Sierra Leone, the provision of combined desks benefited more than 450 primary and high school students.

The donation of desks and chairs to Sierra Leone has made a significant and positive difference in the lives of students in the country, including improving their overall learning environment, reducing classroom congestion, increasing student comfort, enhancing their concentration and participation in academic activities, improved classroom management and organization as well creating a more conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning resulting in boosting student morale and motivation.

As we reflect on the significance of International Literacy Day, let us remember that the promise of education extends far beyond the classroom. It embodies hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief in a brighter future. Each child’s story, like those of Christine, Faith, and Terrence, reminds us of the power of literacy to transform lives and communities.

Imagine the potential that can be unleashed when we invest in education- the doctors, teachers, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow. This International Literacy Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation through literacy. Together, we can turn aspirations into achievements and dreams into realities. The journey towards a literate and equitable world starts with us. Let’s shape the future, one word at a time.