DIRUHI FOUNDATION
The ‘Let’s Read!’ Club
(«ԱՐԻ կարդանք» ակումբ)
Reading skills and habits from the very start of the elementary education are critical to secure the easy learning of all subjects. Data has shown that schoolchildren who read, perform significantly better at school. In Armenia, elementary school children often have difficulty reading well into their middle school and high school years. Due to a general decrease in interest towards reading and intellectualism, as well as lacking school programs focused on literature, this trend continues to show further decline.
In 2020, after developing a modern and interactive methodology and including new contemporary Armenian and foreign literature in the curricula of the program, the ARI Literature Foundation, aims to establish the first reading corner for children. This will focus on elementary and middle school aged children, and among other things will include a relevant library, age appropriate readings and discussions, creative workshops, all within an inviting reading atmosphere. Tutors/librarians will be trained to lead the club meetings. Partners
in regions will be identified and the model of the reading club will be replicated across various regions throughout Armenia with an aim to have one in each of the ten regions and with the main club in Yerevan.
In order to establish this, the ARI Literature Foundation is looking for funding to help build the initial centre in Yerevan and begin the program by March 1st 2020. The amount needed for the first year is $10K with half already donated. Once the program begins, donors & interested parties can find regular updates and photos here, as well as on the ARI Literature Foundation website. Donations towards the remaining $5K can be made via GoFundMe.