GoRead.pk, formed in 2019, is a socially conscious, nationwide movement dedicated to reading culturally and developmentally appropriate stories to children in underprivileged communities across Pakistan. The organization began with the broad idea of bringing joy into children’s lives through story read aloud sessions. Most children in Pakistan, particularly those in underserved communities are experiencing a childhood devoid of storytelling, a necessary ingredient for emotional wellbeing. GoRead.pk uberised simple and scalable story read aloud movement connects caring adults, interested in promoting education with children in underserved communities in their neighborhoods. The movement is growing and creating social change through joyful reading experiences that will invariably impact the lives of those underprivileged children and communities it touches.
Vision: A Pakistan where all children love to read.
Mission: We aim to facilitate joyful story read aloud sessions and opportunities for independent reading for underprivileged children through an empowered community movement.
Purpose: To increase joy in children’s lives and bring about social change through reading stories focusing on the development of positive personality traits with an emphasis on Tarbia (character development) Ehsaas (Compassion) and Adab (literature)
GoRead.pk’s interventions:
- Aao Saath Parhain program connects caring adults from all walks of life with students in underprivileged classrooms across Pakistan. Joyful story sessions allow children to improve their language skills, cultivate new ideas, discuss stories, and experience a safe space to voice their thoughts. Through this experience of reading to children in their own community settings, GoReaders (Caring adult readers) are exposed to the grassroots realities of Pakistan’s education system, as well as the other challenges in the lives of the children they have set out to serve.
- Chunri Readers Book Club (CRBC) works with literate community women, developing them as leaders, story readers, and mentors for young girls in their communities.
- Boys Baithak Book Club (BBBC) works with literate community men, developing them as leaders, story readers, and mentors for young boys in their communities.
- Kahaani Sawaari (Travelling stories) mobilizes community GoReaders to bring story sessions to children in their own communities. This program has blossomed into a community-wide movement, enabling GoRead.pk to reach and read to children in areas we never thought possible.
- Unique Story Lab: Developmentally and culturally relevant stories are published in Urdu and English for children of ages 7 – 11, covering a wide range of topics and genres. Through stories, children are exposed to a variety of culturally relevant ideas and concepts. GoRead.pk also aims to encourage character development through story reading, as children learn about the ways of life of people and animals in Pakistan as well as different parts of the world, focusing on the precious theme of ‘Shared humanity’.
GoRead.pk is a company set up under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017.
