##### Our Purpose

# Kids Come First

* * *

#### Providing all children with the opportunity for success.

###### Our Mission

## Empowering children around the globe to build the literacy and numeracy skills needed to achieve their full potential.

###### Our Vision

## We envision a world where all children have access to opportunity.

###### OUR IMPACT

## We are laser focused on literacy and numeracy as proven pathways to a better life.

### Health

Gains in literacy are associated with greater increases in life expectancy and overall health. The health impacts are multi-generational.

### Financial Strength

Children with stronger literacy and numeracy skills are more likely to stay in school and be employed in higher-skilled jobs.

### Potential

Literacy and numeracy strengths increase educational attainment, economic mobility, family strength, and community connection.

## 500+ million

Children around the world are illiterate and innumerate

The issue is most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa — one in every three children, adolescents and youth are out of school — with girls more likely to be excluded than boys

## 89%

of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text by the age of 10

Children struggle with overcrowded schools, limited materials, and inadequate services for special needs

## 44 million

Teachers will need to be recruited and trained globally to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030

Countries will need an unavailable volume of resources — billions of dollars and millions of new teachers — to provide universal access to school

##### [Learn More About Our Approach](/content/our-work/child-directed-learning/index.html)