Special programs
Inspiring the next generation of readers and learners.
Child Aid works hard to meet the needs of the communities that we partner with. We want the communities and classrooms that we work with to thrive for years to come.
Our special programs are designed to support institutional change in schools. This means listening to the staff, and designing programs that help them ensure kids are reading and learning even after our literacy program concludes. Most of our special programs address student needs, but some go beyond the classroom and out into the community.
Supportive Reading Programs
Many of our programs center around promoting and encouraging reading. These programs include:
- Hosting after school book clubs for students
- Star reader programs that celebrate student achievement
- School-break reading programs that give students opportunities to read while school is not in session
Book Lending Programs
Our trainers work with teachers and principals to make books more accessible to students and ensure they are reading every day. These programs include:
- School library programs
- Book lending programs that allow students to check out and bring home books
- Recess book share programs
Program Spotlight
Pandemic Food Delivery Program
While most of our programs center around education, there are times when what the community needs falls outside of this. When COVID-19 hit, schools closed, and already rural communities were increasingly isolated. Inflation and food insecurity followed, and families who normally live at the edge of extreme poverty found inflation and food insecurity mounting.
The infrastructure that Child Aid had in place proved to be integral to getting much needed food to rural communities. Leveraging our book delivery system, our team was able to efficiently delivery emergency food boxes into geographically inaccessible areas.
Support for Graduated Schools
After schools complete the three-year training program, a dedicated literacy trainer provides ongoing support to schools. Through a combination of school visits, workshops and vibrant online communities, our literacy trainer helps teachers implement new activities, share ideas and celebrate success stories. Our goal is to sustain and nurture the culture of coaching and professional development established during the program so schools can continue improving the quality of education for their students.
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Program Spotlight
Guatemalan Girls:
The Value of Our Voices
Launched in 2023, this new after-school program aims to encourage female students to stay in school longer and feel more confident participating in classroom activities.
The program encourages girls to reflect on their identities as indigenous women and explore the power of their voices. Child Aid supplies spanish-language books written by and about women as part of this program. These books open up a new world of possibilities for participants and further emphasize that girls can be and do whatever they want!
Support our girls program
As soon as we announced our Girls Program: Value of their Voices, the demand was overwhelming. The demand to this day exceeds the funds available for it. If you would like to support this valuable program click the link below.
“As a school we are making reading a priority. Our focus is to create a love for reading, and our hope is that, in the future, we won’t have to tell our students to read, but rather the love for reading comes from them.“
Cecelia Pos Ajquichi
Grade Six Teacher, La Fe
Read Cecilia’s Story on our Blog