Atlassian foundation + Room to Read
"I am so happy that I can read and write well. Room to Read’s teachers taught me how to interact with others, how to be friendly and how if I am educated, I can earn money on my own in the future."
Nimeshika
Girls' Education Program participant from Sri Lanka

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. They achieve this goal by helping children in low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and by supporting girls to build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions.
14.3 million
children have benefited from Room to Read’s primary school Literacy Program since it began
85,313
girls have enrolled in the Girls’ Education Program since it began
25%
lower drop-out rate among girls who participated in Life Skills sessions compared with their peers
Evidence base
-
An independent study conducted by American University and J-PAL in Rajasthan, India found that the Girls' Education Program improves school progression and children’s expression of life skills.
- Room to Read has developed a validated Life Skills Assessment tool

Room to Read’s Literacy Program
Room to Read collaborated with Atlassian Foundation on a pilot for reading and writing instruction in Cambodia. This program is now a critical element of Room to Read’s Literacy Program and has been implemented across all Room to Read program countries.

Girls’ Education Program
The Foundation collaborates with Room to Read to assist girls’ transition into and through secondary school through the Girls’ Education Program. This is a holistic program which addresses the complex factors leading to high rates of drop-out among girls. It:
- provides girls with life skills education, mentorship, and material support
- engages with governments, schools, communities and families to promote girl-friendly learning environments.
As part of this collaboration, Atlassian Foundation matches donations from Atlassian employees through its workplace giving program.

Dr. Geetha Murali
Chief Executive Officer
Funded by Atlassian since
2009