Feed, Read, Lead

By James Jimenez

The syllogism is simple: good leaders are typically the ones who are well-read; becoming well-read requires one to be able to read well; therefore, if we help our children to learn how to read well, they will have a better chance of becoming good leaders. So the question is, how do we help them become good readers, so that one day, they might become good leaders?

FeedReadLead, the initiative I started – a personal advocacy you might say – offers two solutions: FeedForward and ReadForward.

FeedForward

Nearly all public schools have a program that assists struggling readers. They have teachers who volunteer their time and effort to give additional tutelage to young learners who, for some reason or another, have difficulties either grasping or mastering the basics of reading.

One of the most significant challenges faced by these reading programs is the high dropout rate among participating students. There are, of course, many reasons for this, but one of the most pressing is the inability of the schools and the volunteer teachers to provide snacks for the learners.

You see, for a lot of these children, especially those coming from lower income families, the provision of snacks after school hours – when these reader programs typically take place – isn’t just a perk, but a necessity. For one thing, hungry students find it difficult to concentrate, which directly impacts their ability to pay attention in these after-school sessions. For another, when the students know that they won’t get snacks, their motivation to attend these extra sessions diminish significantly. Over time, this lack of incentive leads to increased absenteeism and eventually, a high dropout rate from the program.

The teachers themselves are not immune from being disincentivized. Taking on these additional duties, volunteers are often stretched thin, having to spend more time at school than they ordinarily would. While such dedication is commendable, the reality is that many of these teachers will lack the financial slack to consistently provide snacks for themselves, let alone for a classroom full of hungry kids. With school budgets being already thin, making the volunteers shell money out for snacks might be a bridge too far, leading to a drop in the number of volunteer teachers.

Without support, even the most well-intentioned programs may struggle to retain students and achieve their intended outcomes. And this is where FeedForward steps up.

FeedForward will support the partner school’s readership program by providing nutritious snacks to the learners who participate.  By ensuring that this basic need is met, we believe we can significantly increase the retention rate in these reading programs and, ultimately, improve literacy rates among elementary school students.

ReadForward

As difficult as the snacks situation is, it isn’t the only problem. The lack of books is, unsurprisingly, a major issue.

Within the reading programs, there is a palpable lack of specialized text books that focus specifically on teaching the fundamental elements of reading. These books, tailored to the needs of struggling readers, help the teachers break down the basics of reading into manageable, step-by-step lessons that gradually build a learner’s confidence and proficiency.

In addition, these specialized textbooks and workbooks often include built-in assessments and practice exercises that allow teachers to monitor how well students are mastering each concept before moving on to the next. Without these tools, it becomes much more difficult to identify areas where a student may be struggling and to provide targeted support to address those challenges. Unfortunately, in many public schools, these resources are either in short supply or entirely absent.

And outside the reading programs, the generalized lack of books and other reading materials in these public schools is an equally dire problem.

Reading is a skill that one improves at with constant practice. Students, most especially, are primed to benefit from having as many reading materials to hand as possible. Books are crucial tools for developing literacy, as they expose students to a variety of words, sentence structures, and ideas. Without access to these materials, students miss out on the essential practice needed to build their reading skills. Literacy is not just about the ability to decode words; it’s about comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to engage with and analyze texts.

The era of encyclopedias as a repository of information and knowledge may be a distant memory now, but electronic screens are no substitute for inculcating the love of reading in the young. And ReadForward is determined to make a difference in this area.

The FeedReadLead Book Donation Collaboration seeks to provide a steady supply of books to elementary schools across the Philippines. We believe that by enriching school libraries and classrooms with a diverse range of books, we aid in cultivating a culture of reading, enhance students’ literacy skills, and ultimately improve the quality of our future leaders. If it also enhances the country’s standing in future educational assessments, well that’s a bonus we would be thankful for.

The Pitch

I invite you to join me in making a meaningful difference through these programs – ReadForward and FeedForward – powerful initiatives dedicated to transforming the lives of young learners. Donate books to ReadForward, or help us acquire books for donation to schools and daycares and libraries. In this way, you can help us ensure that every child has the tools to develop their literacy skills and discover the joy of reading.

And by donating snacks or funds via FeedForward, to provide nutritious food during reading sessions, you help create a supportive environment where students can thrive. Together, these two programs offer a holistic approach to education—one that recognizes the importance of both literacy and basic needs. Your involvement, whether through donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, will have a lasting impact on the lives of young learners.

Get in touch with us via our Facebook page: https://facebook.com/feedreadlead