9/10 children cannot read - we will teach them!

By Sanne Sevig | Founder

Dear Friend,

One afternoon, after everyone else had gone home, one of our students quietly asked our teacher, “Can I stay a little longer?”

For many children, finishing school means rushing home. For this boy, it meant asking if he could keep learning.

He had never attended elementary school. Through patient one-on-one support at Kids Club, he has now learned to read and write. Today, he loves learning so much that he never wants the lessons to end.

Moments like these remind us why Kids Club exists.

A Summer Filled with Learning
While many schools closed for the summer break, Kids Club became busier than ever.

Throughout May and June, children joined us almost every day for our Summer School, where reading and mathematics were combined with games, creativity, outdoor activities, and plenty of laughter. The response from families was overwhelming, and many children returned day after day, excited to keep learning during their vacation.

By making learning enjoyable, we continue to show children that books and numbers can open doors rather than create fear.

Growing Confidence
Progress isn’t always measured by reading levels alone.

One young girl, who is being raised by her father, used to avoid reading aloud and rarely participated in class. Today she confidently raises her hand, volunteers to read, and takes part in classroom discussions.

It is these small moments of courage that often become the biggest milestones.

Learning Together
Every weekday, around 20 to 30 children attend our literacy tutorials, while Saturdays bring around 50 children together for Fun Club, storytelling, and group activities.

Our mini library continues to be one of the children’s favourite places. Books rarely stay on the shelves for long before finding their way home with eager young readers, ready to be read again and again before being exchanged for another adventure.

This year we were also fortunate to welcome volunteers from Austria, France, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. They introduced new teaching ideas, mathematics activities, English lessons, creative games, and environmental education, bringing fresh energy into our classrooms.

One of our returning volunteers, Zoe from the United Kingdom, once again helped our team develop new ways of making learning engaging and inclusive for every child. Her experience and encouragement continue to inspire both our teachers and our students.

Looking Ahead
Our biggest challenge today is no longer finding books.

Instead, it is finding enough time, teachers, and resources to support every child who wants to learn. As more families discover Kids Club, we are seeing increasing demand from older children who need extra encouragement to stay engaged with reading and school.

Looking ahead, we dream of installing a small solar system so we can keep Kids Club open during the evenings and on darker days. We also hope to welcome another teacher to our growing team, expand our library, and continue creating a place where every child feels excited to learn.

Thank You
Every book borrowed, every worksheet completed, and every child who discovers the confidence to read is possible because of your support.

Thank you for helping us build more than literacy.

Together, we are helping children discover a lifelong love of learning.

With gratitude,
Sanne Sevig

Founder, Nature Kids of Siargao