This article highlights a week-long training workshop held in Kananga, Kasaï Central, where more than 30 itinerant inspectors from the Ministry of Education were trained on World Vision’s Unlock Literacy 2.0 approach. Designed to tackle low reading comprehension rates among primary school pupils, where only 9% of Grade 3 children can read with understanding, the training equipped inspectors with the skills to integrate the method into the national curriculum, support teacher training, and provide ongoing coaching. Participants expressed strong commitment to applying the lessons learned, underscoring the programme’s role in strengthening foundational skills and promoting inclusive, quality education in the DRC.

In many rural schools across Zambia, a significant challenge persists: teachers often struggle to teach literacy in lower grades effectively. Despite the critical importance of developing strong reading and writing skills early on, many classrooms are marked by limited resources, inadequate training, and a focus on rote learning rather than holistic literacy development. As a result, many children enter upper primary school with weak foundational skills, hampering their overall academic progress and confidence.

Illiteracy remains one of the biggest challenges facing rural Zambia, especially in communities like World Vision Zambia’s Luswepo Area Programme in Isoka district. Many children grow up without the necessary skills to read and write, limiting their opportunities for a better future. In these areas, lack of access to quality educational resources and awareness often leaves parents unaware of how they can support their children's learning at home. This cycle of illiteracy hampers community development and perpetuates poverty.

In Malawi, children are leading research to improve school meal programmes through World Vision’s ENOUGH campaign. Their voices reveal challenges and hopes for nutritious meals that support learning and well-being.

Inspiring stories from Bajhang showing how education livelihoods and protection programmes are transforming lives and communities.

A reading park helped 10-year-old Abenezer go from struggling to read to becoming a confident student. See how it’s transforming young lives in Ethiopia.

A disability Project impact stories

Over 550 students from nine Tamale schools joined World Vision Ghana’s Bible Reading Clinic to deepen youth biblical literacy and spiritual growth.

Nalukwale Community School, which once struggled with dilapidated infrastructure, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to the Community Voice & Action (CVA) accountability approach implemented by World Vision Zambia in partnership with the Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child programme and the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA), the Nalukwale community has been empowered with skills through training in the CVA model to monitor the standards of services provided. This has enabled them to advocate effectively for quality service delivery and accountability from the government.