Let’s Read Nurtures Young Readers in the Maldives
In the Maldives, our Let’s Read initiative has collaborated with local writers to expand the availability of Dhivehi-language children’s literature. As of August 2024, 197 books are available in Dhivehi on the fully digital and free online Let’s Read platform. By working with local artists, storytellers, and educators, we are fostering a love for reading, preserving the Dhivehi language and culture, and improving literacy skills among children in the Maldives.
We also launched our first workshop in Dhiffushi Islands, Maldives. In collaboration with the Maldives Library Association and Women’s Development Committee of Dhiffushi Island Council, the event brought together 39 librarians and educators from 20 schools across seven of the nine inhabited islands in the Kaafu Atoll. Representatives from the Maldives National University and the National Library of Maldives also participated to explore how the program could enhance children’s literacy and improve local libraries.
During the workshop, participants learned:
- How to navigate the Let’s Read platform
- Let’s Read’s impact on libraries, schools and children’s education
- Strategies to effectively engage young readers through read-aloud sessions and interactive storytelling
- Best practices for maintaining language structure and cultural adaptation from English to Dhivehi
The event concluded with discussions on the next steps for our continued collaboration:
- Setting up translation events to increase the number of Dhivehi-language children’s books
- Committing to regular reading sessions in schools,
- Creating a solid foundation for the program’s continued growth and future contributions from librarians and educators.
Let’s Read promotes reading and learning through its digital library, offering free access to high-quality children’s storybooks in over 60 languages. With its flexible model, the program allows for translating and adapting stories to fit the unique cultural contexts of countries across Asia and the Pacific.
Learn more about Let’s Read.
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