worldlit donations to wlc help provide #literacy classes

WRITE FOR A BETTER WORLD CONTEST

@WORLDLIT DONATIONS TO WLC HELP PROVIDE #LITERACY CLASSES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN NEED.

SALLY SWENSON SCHOLARSHIPS

VOLUNTEER IN INDIA

COLLECTOR EDITION BOOKS! UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG PARTNERSHIP

2013–2014 ANNUAL REVIEW

THE OLDEST, LARGEST AND MOST RESPECTED READING SERIES

OF ITS KIND IN TORONTO. TREAT YOURSELF OR SOMEONE SPECIAL TO AN EVENING OR TO THE FULL SERIES.

KAMA READING SERIES 2014

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PARK HYATT TORONTO

January 29 Feminist Writing & Living Lorrie Gallant

Itah Sadu

Olivia Chow

Michele Landsberg

February 26 To Serve & Protect David M. Tanovich

Dr. Alvin Curling

John Sewell

Stephen Meurice

Michael Cooke

John Stackhouse

March 26 Editor-in-Chief

April 30 Another Place Teresa Toten

Ronald Deibert

Rachel Manley

Shyam Selvadurai

Elizabeth Hay

Anne Michaels

May 28 Another Time Kelley Armstrong

Wayne Johnston

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! WWW.WORLDLIT.CA/KAMA

WITH OVER 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SERVING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE POVERTY THROUGH LITERACY, WORLD LITERACY CANADA IS COMMITTED TO SPEAKING UP ON POVERTY, GENDER EQUALITY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING A GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP MOVEMENT.

1.

FAREWELL LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This being my final year as World Literacy Canada’s Executive Director, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone I have worked with, both here at home and in India, in serving communities through the delivery of excellent literacy programming. World Literacy Canada has been a life changing “trip” for me. I have truly lived and loved my 26 years serving what I believe to be an organization that speaks to the best of what Canada ought to be. World Literacy Canada has contributed to shaping Canada’s hard won reputation as a country committed

to understanding the interconnected and interdependent world we live in. A caring Canada that understands that it will never become poor by giving. A fair Canada that understands that gender equality is the prerequisite to social justice. A secure Canada that openly shares information, invites debate, and encourages diversity. It takes a long time to build trust and respect. And it takes no time to lose it. If we continue down the current path of silencing small and diverse organizations by allocating government funding to a handful of organizations willing to take orders

HUMAN SPIRIT CAN BE EVEN STRONGER THAN EVERYTHING DESIGNED TO SUPPRESS IT. “ “ THE -G S LORIA

2.

TEINEM

AS IF YOU WERE TO DIE TOMORROW. LEARN AS IF YOU WERE TO LIVE FOREVER. “ LIVE “ MAHATMA GANDHI

from the government of the day, Canada is in danger of losing its reputation as a philanthropic country committed to making the world a better place. As I prepare to exit, I remain hopeful that World Literacy Canada will remain idealistic and true to its brave founders. Dr. Welthy Fisher, Sally Swenson, and those who followed built a strong and secular organization committed to innovative social justice programming, and they upheld a belief in global citizenship. There is no question of my good fortune to have connected with Canada’s finest NGO, and to have had the privilege to bring opportunity into the lives of thousands of women and their families.

On behalf of my son Akash and daughter Abra, I thank EVERYONE again for the good memories! Namaste,

Mamta Mishra

Abracadabra and Akash

3.

WORKING IN INDIA’S MOST CROWDED If it were a country, Uttar Pradesh would rank as the world’s 5th largest country with a population of 200 million. World Literacy Canada works here because India’s eight poorest states house more people living in absolute poverty than in Africa’s 26 poorest countries combined.

Our India project delivered:

During this past year, our project in Uttar Pradesh directly impacted the lives of over 42,000 women and their families, and indirectly it multiplied to serve thousands more.

“CLEAR POLICY & PROGRAM FOCUS, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN INDIA AND CANADA, & LEAN ADMINISTRATION ALL COMBINE TO MAKE WLC THE PRIME OVERSEAS PROGRAM I UNDERSTAND & ENDORSE.

“

- SALLY SWENSON, LIFE-LONG FRIEND & SUPPORTER 4.

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Literacy classes for women;

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Early childhood learning centres;

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Library services for urban and rural communities;

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A women’s kabaddi tournament as part of International Women’s Day advocacy;

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Training and employment for young women as teachers;

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Scholarships for children;

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The Hindi Praveshika, a new and innovative literacy primer.

N

NORTHERN PROVINCE OF UTTAR PRADESH 100 213 353 590 640 720 9,111 9,468 14,000 30,000 42,000 66,000

FEMALE ATHLETES COMPETED IN KABADDI TOURNAMENT CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS WOME N TRAINED & EMPLOYED AS TEACHERS COMMUNITIES IMPACTED WOMEN JOINED SELF HELP SAVINGS GROUPS WOMEN ENROLLED IN SKILLS TRAINING WOME N ENROLLED IN LITERACY CLASSES CHILDREN ENROLLED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING WOMEN JOINED MAHILA MANDALS (WOMEN’S GROUPS) REGULAR LIBRARY USERS WOMEN & CHILDREN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BOOK TITLES IN CIRCULATION

2012 - 2013 ACHIEVEMENTS 5.

A NEW PROJECT LAUNCHED WITH Mata Gujri Memorial Library & Learning Centre in Punjab, India This new project provides unique and exciting educational opportunities to young women, youth and children who otherwise have little access to books and skills training. The Mata Gujri Library and Learning Centre has been established as an educational resource for the community of Bhanohar and the surrounding region. It will serve to empower girls and young women through an improved learning environment and assist them in reaching their full potential. The centre will also serve the broader community through programming developed for boys and young men.

6.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG PROGRESS REPORT 40

regular users of gym services

44

students enrolled in English classes

83

students enrolled in computer classes

2,277 regular users of the centre’s services 7,177 book collection in Punjabi, Hindi & English 7,400 population impacted

CENTER IS WONDERFULLY BUILT AND PROGRAMMED. IT HAS CLASSROOMS, A FULLY EQUIPPED “ THE COMPUTER LAB, A LIBRARY AND A PLAYGROUND OUTSIDE. COMPUTER, ENGLISH, FITNESS AND

NUTRITION CLASSES RUN DAILY. THE LIBRARY PROVIDES A VARIETY OF BOOKS IN ENGLISH, PUNJABI AND HINDI AS WELL AS TEXTBOOKS, NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES.

- SANA HAYER, CVII INTERN

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7.

y final judge Ke lle db te

t theme was c tes rea on C

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It’s been a long, sleepless night of strange dreams... g! tron ms Ar

World Literacy Canada’s Write for a Better World national writing contest challenges Canadian youth in Gr.5-8 to dive into the mindset of a global citizen – a person who is ready for a world of opportunity and assumes the responsibility to participate actively in their local and global communities. World Literacy Canada has teamed up with New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong to bring you a writing contest that asks youth to dream big as they write about a culture that is new to them.

“

AFTER CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH, I CHOSE WORLD LITERACY CANADA TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS FROM TWO OF

MY BOOKS, AND EACH TIME I RECEIVE UPDATES, I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. THEY DO EXCELLENT WORK BOTH IN CANADA AND ABROAD, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM WHENEVER I CAN.

- KELLEY ARMSTRONG,

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR

“

Let’s get children writing coast to coast! Are you a parent? A teacher? An educator? A librarian? Share Write for a Better World with the children in your life. Together we can spark a love of writing, and creative thinking about different people and places. The prize for the first place story is $500 and the top ten finalists become published authors!

Write for a Better World has engaged more than 5,000 What h

appens next? That’s up to y ou.

Canadian students!

Deadline: April 4, 2014

Visit: to learn about the prizes, download the entry form, teaching resource, and more! 9.

SALLY SWENSON SCHOLARSHIPS World Literacy Canada is deeply committed to empowerment, and enabling a greater sense of dignity in women and children. Sally Swenson Scholarships are central to achieving this goal. When Shusma Bharati’s mother became ill and her sister died of tuberculosis, Shusma thought she would have to give up on the idea of returning to school and completing her degree. This unfortunate fate would have become a reality if not for the Sally Swenson Scholarship that allowed her receive support to enrol in school and continue her education.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF BRIGHT STUDENTS ON OUR WAITING LIST TO OBTAIN A SCHOLARSHIP. 10.

BY MAKING AN ANNUAL DONATION OF

$300 ($25 PER MONTH), ONE

MORE STUDENT WILL BE OFF THE WAITING LIST, AND IN A CLASSROOM!

Start a ripple effect. Funding the education of a child in a low-income family starts a ripple effect that extends far into the future, changing the life of a child, their family, and the shape of the world at large. Kausalya Kumari benefitted greatly from having a Sally Swenson Scholarship by not only gaining a solid education and breaking the pattern of illiteracy in her family, but also by gaining recognition for her outstanding academic performance. Kausalya has been ranked first in all of her classes since kindergarten and is very proud of obtaining a 94.5% in her grade 3 examination this year.

Don’t delay in changing the course of someone’s life. Open doors for a child by sponsoring their tuition, tutoring, textbooks and school supplies. LEARN MORE: HTTP://WWW.WORLDLIT.CA/INDIA-PROGRAMS/SCHOLARSHIPS/

11.

PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY After marrying at an early age, Seema Bharti found herself in a difficult situation. Her husband was unemployed and she did not have an educational background that could lead to employment at a decent wage. Seema needed to find a solution quickly to pull herself and her husband out of their financial difficulties. In September 2012, she decided to enrol as a trainee at the Tulsi Kunj Beauty Parlour, an

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establishment run by World Literacy Canada’s partner the Satyagyan Foundation. She continued her training through to January 2013. Seema started to apply her new knowledge by working door-to-door in her neighbourhood and was able to progressively increase her salary. She now works at a beauty parlour in her community.

CREATING HOPE This year three Sally Swenson Scholarship students, Sandhya Gaur, Jyoti Verma, and Sarita Sahni, graduated grade twelve. Jyoti is already pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at Indira Gandhi National Open University. Sandhya and Sarita are patiently waiting for the next admission period to apply to their schools of interest.

The scholarship project is not the only means through which World Literacy Canada has supported Sartia and Sandhya’s families. Both of their mothers equipped themselves with basic literacy skills through WLC’s Adult Literacy Classes. World Literacy Canada believes in the importance of educating across generations and has shaped its literacy programs around this belief. When a parent is educated, their children are often encouraged to expand their educational horizons. In creating generational education opportunities we work to shift the cycle of poverty.

13.

A+ REPORT CARD FOR An independent third party audit of World Literacy’s program had this to say:

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The hallmark of WLC’s Program is that a modest financial investment has produced significant results;

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There is ample evidence to show that literacy skills have served to empower women, to improve their quality of life, to lay a strong foundation for the potential of their future long-term development;

WORLD LITERACY CANADA! •

The Program operates under sound financial management policies and procedures including budgeting and reporting systems and practices both in Canada and in India;

•

Given the significant, useful and relevant results that are being achieved, this well-designed program with additional financial resources has a great potential to grow and expand to benefit more communities.

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IMPACT: AT HOME IN CANADA A grade eight student at Grand Forks Secondary School in British Colombia, Avery Nordman’s story set in Marrakech, Morocco, was the winner of World Literacy Canada’s Write for a Better World 2013 writing contest. In Avery’s words… “I think the contest was a great way to get kids in Canada thinking about global citizenship and to be able to express themselves through their writing, something I love to do. I believe literacy and education should be a basic right for everyone around the world. Travelling to places like Morocco has given me a better understanding of the world and ideas for my writing. This contest has made me think even more about what I can do to help others and be a true global citizen.”

LITERACY IS MORE THAN READING AND WRITING, IT IS ABOUT JOBS, THE MARKET, 16.

IMPACT: AT HOME IN INDIA Rajni Gupta is the second daughter in a family of six. Rajni’s life was restricted to raising her younger brothers and sisters and selling Papad, a crisp disc-shaped chip, in order to help her father bring in money for the family. Her enrollment in basic and advanced sewing classes , supported by World Literacy Canada, signalled a turning point in her life. After a six month-course, Rajni was already sewing clothes for her family and community. Her efforts and talents eventually allowed her to run sewing classes in her community, increasing her modest income. Rajni works today as a professional tailor and volunteers as a sewing trainer assisting others to also change their lives.

AND HOW WE PARTICIPATE IN AN INCREASINGLY INTERCONNECTED WORLD. 17.

CANADIAN VOLUNTEER The CVII program is a rare opportunity for Canadians to live in the ancient city of Varanasi and experience how empowerment and literacy programming can, and does, change lives for the better. CVII strives to cultivate informed and active global citizens while advancing the effectiveness of WLC’s programs. All internships provide a full immersion into program and policies, marketing and fundraising, and “hands on” learning on international development and global citizenship.

18.

INTERNSHIPS IN INDIA (CVII) “My six months of immersion in the vibrant community of Varanasi was an enriching and life-changing experience that taught me professionally essential intercultural skills for effective intercultural communication. By the end of my internship, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in international development.“ - Emily Antze

VOLUNTEER IN VARANASI Whether you want to go for 1 month, 2 months, or 6 months, we will create a tailor-made internship that works for you. Find out how you can fly to India!

www.worldlit.ca/canada-programs/internships 19.

SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS RARE BOOKS AVAILABLE ONLY AT WORLD LITERACY CANADA.

THE STORY

THE SCREAM

A poem by Michael Ondaatje, with original drawings by David Bolduc.

A story by Rohinton Mistry, with original drawings by Tony Urquhart.

Only 150 copies printed.

Only 125 copies printed.

A very limited number remain for sale.

GRADUATION? WEDDING? BIRTHDAY? HOLIDAY? PERFECT GIFTS FOR THE 20.

Gandhi’s Glasses is a children’s story about social justice issues which affect youth in everyday life.

A story written by Mamta Mishra, with original drawings by Prashant Miranda. “BIRDI

NUM NUM MAKES ME SMILE EVERY TIME I READ IT TO MY GRANDCHILDREN, FROM THE CHAKIWALLA TO THE JALI. THE RHYTHM AND RHYMES ARE SO POETIC AND SO APPEALING TO CHILDREN AND WITH ILLUSTRATIONS USING IMAGINATION AND VIVID IMAGES, THIS STORY IS A FAVOURITE IN MY HOME!” - NANCY GARROW

“THIS IS A MUST-HAVE FOR ANY CLASSROOM OR SCHOOL LIBRARY.”

- LISA PERRIN

A very limited number remain for sale.

SPECIAL BOOK LOVER IN YOUR LIFE

– WHATEVER THE OCCASION. 21.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS SALLY SWENSO N

+ ASSOCIATES

22.

Naraine Global

AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

23.

financials

REVENUE Donations Foundations

2012-2013 2011-2012

March 31, 2013

268,142 37,612

March 31, 2012

327,043 14,736

Grants -- 457,391 Partnerships

27,500

101,230

Special Events

71,034

52,548

Interest and Other Revenue Total Revenue

2,531

1,780

$406,819

$954,728

259,465

514,752

EXPENSE International Programs Canadian Programs

31,071

113,787

Partnership Programs

15,000

90,000

Global Citizenship Programs -- 104,163 Program Support

24.

130,199

136,781

Total Expense

$435,735

$959,483

NET INCOME

($28,916)

($4,755)

Net Assets, beginning of year

351,740

356,494

Net Assets, end of year

322,824

351,740

GET INVOLVED!

HOW?

BECOME A FRIEND OF WLC By making an annual donation of at least $25, you join WLC’s Friends Club. As a Friend of WLC you will: t


Join a fine group of people who believe in and support World Literacy’s programming;

t


Receive an invitation to the annual KAMA Reading Series fall kickoff event;

t


Enter a draw and have the chance to win signed author books from the five-part KAMA series.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT There are a number of activities you can get involved in depending on your interests and availability. We can put your particular expertise and enthusiasm to good use. Please forward your resume, availability, and interests to [email protected].

DONATE By making a donation you are helping to ensure that literacy education for women and children continues where the need is high. Please give generously. All donations are tax deductible.

VISIT US ONLINE:

worldlit.ca

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/worldlit

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@worldlit

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blog

KAMA Reading Series 2014 January 29 Feminist Writing & Living

February 26 To Serve & Protect

March 26 Editor-in-Chief

Lorrie Gallant

David M. Tanovich

Stephen Meurice

Writer, illustrator, storyteller, visual artist and educator, born and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.

David Tanovich is a Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor. His research has been frequently cited by the Supreme Court of Canada and other appellate courts, law reform and human rights commissions.

Stephen Meurice is editor-inchief of the National Post. Prior to becoming editor-in-chief, he was the Post’s Deputy Editor and Managing News Editor.

Itah Sadu Storyteller and children’s author. Her stories deal with cross-cultural awareness and race relations. Itah was honoured with the Marilyn Lastman Award.

Olivia Chow Member of Parliament for the riding of Trinity-Spadina, Olivia’s political career has spanned the Toronto Board of Education, Toronto City Hall, and Parliament.

Michele Landsberg Michele Landsberg has written for The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine magazine, and the Toronto Star. She is the recipient of the Governor General’s Persons’ Medal for her tireless advocacy on behalf of women.

Dr. Alvin Curling Dr. Alvin Curling is currently a strategic advisor to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for the province of Ontario on youth opportunities. He co-authored the groundbreaking report The Roots of Youth Violence.

John Sewell

John Sewell was former Mayor of Toronto. He has engaged in politics in Toronto as a community activist, city councillor, journalist, writer, housing administrator, social entrepreneur, and chaired the Royal Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario. He is currently the co-ordinator of Toronto Police Accountability Coalition.

Michael Cooke Michael Cooke is editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star. He has been editor-in-chief of the Vancouver Province, the Chicago Sun Times, and the New York Daily News.

John Stackhouse John Stackhouse is editorin-chief of The Globe and Mail. He was previously editor of Report on Business and has also served as the newspaper’s national editor, foreign editor, correspondent at large, and development issues correspondent based in New Delhi. John has won five national newspaper awards, a national magazine award, and an Amnesty International Award for human rights reporting.

“ Thank you to WLC for your world changing work! It was an honour and a privilege to be part of the - James Looney, Author of Captivity: 118 days in Iraq and the struggle for a world without war.

Five intimate evenings of readings, thought-provoking conversation, and book signing with eighteen of Canada’s leading literary talents. April 30 Another Place

May 28 Another Time

Teresa Toten

Kelley Armstrong

Ronald Deibert Ron Deibert is Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies and the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto.

Rachel Manley A Caribbean literary personality and winner of Jamaica’s Centennial Medal for Poetry. She is the editor of her late grandmother’s diaries, one of which, Drumblair: Memories of Jamaican Childhood, won the Governor General’s Award for Literature in Canada.

Shyam Selvadurai Shyam Selvadurai was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Funny Boy, his first novel, won the WH Smith/ Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Lambda Literary Award in the US. He is the author of Cinnamon Gardens and Swimming in the Monsoon Sea, and the editor of an anthology, Story-wallah!

Kelley Armstrong is an international bestselling fantasy and crime fiction writer. She has published twenty-one novels in her Women of the Otherworld series and the Darkest Powers & Darkest Rising series.

Wayne Johnston Wayne Johnston’s #1 nationally bestselling novels include The Divine Ryans, A World Elsewhere, The Custodian of Paradise, The Navigator of New York and The Colony of Unrequited Dreams. His books have been short-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award.

Elizabeth Hay Elizabeth Hay is the author of the Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning novel Late Nights On Air as well as three other award-winning works of fiction, Small Change, A Student of Weather, and Garbo Laughs, which was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction.

Anne Michaels Anne Michaels is the author of several books of poetry including The Weight of Oranges, awarded the Commonwealth Prize, and Miner’s Pond that won the Canadian Authors Association Award for Poetry. She has authored two novels: the multi- award-winning and international best selling novel Fugitive Pieces, and The Winter Vault.

2012 Kama benefit reading series. It was an evening that opened my mind and inspired my heart.

“

Teresa Toten is an award-winning writer who was born in Zagreb, Croatia, but left for Canada that same day. Toten has twice been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award.

www.worldlit.ca World Literacy Canada gratefully acknowledges the support of all generous donors, volunteers, students, teachers, authors, publishers, corporate sponsors, and government partners. WorldLit

@WorldLit

Charitable Registration Number 11930 4640 RR0001 Board of Directors Ken Setterington (President), Jasmine Gill, Virginia Bosomworth, Donna Inch, Teresa Toten, Joanna Gertler, Mark Wright, Jane Zeidler, Emily Antze, Sibel Cicek, Raluca Dobre. Printing supported by:

Canada Office Mamta Mishra, Executive Director 401 Richmond Street West, Studio 281 Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8, Canada 416.977.0008 [email protected] India Office Shitanshu Sharma, Director Ganga Mahal Kothi B-2/1 Bhadaini, Varanasi 221001 Uttar Pradesh, India + 91 542 231 4507 [email protected]