In late May, I had the opportunity to visit Samuel D. Hill Public School in Bomi County and observe life skills lessons being taught to adolescent girls as part of CODE’s Girls’ Accelerated Learning Initiative (GALI).

What you might not know is that CODE is also working with like-minded partners to tackle issues that prevent students, especially girls, from staying in school and completing their education.

Our hearts are full of gratitude as we reflect on the past year at CODE. The work we do to champion every child’s right to read would simply not be possible without supporters and partners like you!

For girls like Sallay, education is the key to breaking down barriers and unlocking a brighter future. We’re so grateful to Sallay for inviting us into her home and sharing a glimpse into her life. Despite the daily hardships she faces, Sallay is determined to go to school and get an education.

CODE is excited to be headlining a panel session and keynote address at PALFA 2023, taking place August 23-25. This year’s conference theme is "Remediating the Global Learning Poverty Crisis through Innovative Literacy Practices."

In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 88% or 202 million children are not meeting minimum proficiency levels in literacy. Amongst over-age students – those whose learning is truncated by late entry into the school system and early departure during adolescence – the rate is often higher.

CODE is pleased to announce the expansion of the Girls’ Accelerated Learning Initiative in Liberia. Beginning on July 1, 2023, the program will expand from 20 to 40 schools, doubling the number of girls it will reach over the next three years.

On the 24th of April 2023, Accra, Ghana will hold the Opening Ceremony of the Accra World Book Capital, 2023 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

In so many ways this past year has been an extraordinary one – our reach and impact has expanded significantly, we’ve welcomed many new supporters into the CODE family, and have heard global decision-makers reaffirm the importance of literacy in tackling what the World Bank calls “Learning Poverty.”

Resulting from school closures and absenteeism, a lack of teachers and quality learning materials, that most basic of educational quality  indicators: Can children read and write? – has precipitously worsened.