ASSOCIAÇÃO LIVRO ABERTO…
and the LIVRO ABERTO BIBLIOTECA DE CRIANÇAS, LANGUAGE & LITERACY CENTER
Jardim dos Professores, Maputo, Mozambique
 
 
It has been repeatedly documented that a majority of Mozambican children have limited access to reading materials and literacy models within their homes (i.e., a lack of family members who read/write with children). Furthermore, Mozambican children are challenged by speaking a home language that is different to the language used in school. These challenges create a situation when children enter school they are expected to learn a language while simultaneously learning academic concepts and to read and to write through the same language; a language they are not proficient in. Associação Livro Aberto serves to overcome these barriers. We are nurturing the development of children's literacy skills by coaching adults to provide access to quality literacy models, materials, and learning experiences that motivate children to learn to read and write. Ultimately, we are fostering a culture of reading for pleasure in Mozambique.
 
Associação Livro Aberto is fostering a joy for books, empowerment through literacy in Mozambique
Livro Aberto or 'Open Book' is a Mozambican registered non-profit association, children's library and literacy organization founded in 2007. Livro Aberto is based in Maputo, Mozambique.
 
Our Vision:
We believe that books and the empowerment and enjoyment that comes through literacy, should be a part of everyone's world. Our vision is of a reading culture in Mozambique, where all children have access to the resources and skills to successfully gain enjoyment and strength through literacy.
 
Our Mission:
We aim to bring empowerment and enjoyment through literacy to children throughout the country, through community and school library programs and literacy workshops.
 
Livro Aberto focuses on filling the gaps in literacy education and print resource access for children in Mozambique. Livro Aberto not only provides experiences with books, but expert literacy workshops modeling and supporting the skills requisite for success in reading and writing. We believe that by enabling adults to read and write, the culture for reading within homes and schools will grow. Adults who are empowered through literacy encourage their children to learn to read and write, breaking the cycle of poverty that illiteracy perpetuates. Our bilingual lending library for both children and adults in Maputo city and our used book distribution across Mozambique both promote adults and children who read for pleasure.
 
In communities and schools across Mozambique, Livro Aberto provides programming for children and trainings for adults how to implement literacy instruction through a daily or weekly Community Library Program (CLP). Using the instructional strategies including "My Choice Reading" (a hands-on personal experience with books), literacy skills modelled through Read Alouds with children, and learning to read and write through Interactive Learning Activities based on the stories read, ensures that children are learning through quality child-centered instruction that is both fun and meaningfully crafted around stories. With first hand experiences with books and literacy models, children are learning a value for reading and how to read. Creative writing experiences based on themes from stories that are applied to their own lives, also contribute to children's writing and communication skills. Occurring in both community and school environments, CLPs provide essential literacy skill modelling and coaching that is absent in many Mozambican homes and schools. Livro Aberto's CLP strategies are impacting communities, schools, adults and children throughout Mozambique, through our weekly literacy programming within multiple communities in Maputo province and through projects across Mozambique with partner organizations (i.e., UNICEF, GCF, WEI, Peace Corps, USAID).
 
Livro Aberto has the vision, expertise, tools, and community/school support to enable access to books and empowerment through literacy for children and adults in Mozambique.
 
Associação Livro Aberto and the Livro Aberto Biblioteca de Crianças, Language & Literacy Center
Jardim dos Professores,
Maputo, Mozambique,
Tel: +258 844689047
Email: info@livroaberto.org
www.livroaberto.org
https://www.facebook.com/LivroAbertoMozambique