According to a census taken in the year 2000, some 16 million people in Brazil are unable to read or write. At around 13% of the population, this represents one of the highest illiteracy rates in South America.

Since 1997 the Alfabetização Solidária (Solidarity in Literacy) institution has been working to tackle this problem. In partnership with universities, local governments and private companies, the organization runs public literacy projects across Brazil. To date over 5 million young people and adults have taken part in their 6-month "Alfasol" program, and 228,000 literacy teachers have been trained.

In May 2004 Alfasol was awarded the International Literacy Prize by UNESCO, and commended for the way it "covers both urban and rural populations, encourages the participation of women and reaches the poorest and most isolated people".

Following its success in Brazil, the program has now been rolled out to a number of other countries, including East Timor, Mozambique and Guatemala.

We’ve been supporting the Alfabetização Solidária organization since its creation. What does that mean, exactly? Well, since 1997, our financial contributions have directly paid for the training of 398 literacy teachers and allowed over 9,000 people to take part in Alfasol programs.