Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, Room to Read develops literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
Gouri served as a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Senior Analyst from Nov. 2016 - July 2020.
Gouri served as a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Senior Analyst from Nov. 2016 - July 2020.
Highlights and Accomplishments
Project Management Support in Vietnam
Room to Read and The Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance collaborated to showcase the power of life skills and girls’ education in Vietnam. Pulling together a community of supporters and champions for girls' education, Michelle Obama visited a Room to Read partner school and met with leaders of local girls’ education organizations and beneficiaries of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program. Julia Roberts, Lana Condor, Ngô Thanh Vân (Veronica Ngo), YouTube’s Liza Koshy and the TODAY Show’s Jenna Bush Hager, joined Mrs. Obama to see first-hand the depth of life skills training and follow the stories of current participants, alumni of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program and met with local nonprofit representatives from education-focused organizations. Gouri's role included the day to day management of logistics of the visit with the Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance team, Room to Read's Vietnam based staff, and media outlets; on-ground support and preparation with Room to Read Girls' Education Program participants; coordination of preparation visits and support for Room to Read's social media team. |
Gouri (top row, second from left) and the Room to Read logistics team with Ms. Michelle Obama
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Support of Stakeholder Visit to Tanzania
Excerpt from story and photos collected through interview in Tanzania: When Leila's father and Mama Leila's sisters passed away, Mama Leila became the sole source of support for a household of ten — Leila, her grandmother, her two brothers and her six cousins. She sells cassava and makes, on average, the equivalent of one to two dollars a day. Mama Leila worried Leila would have to drop out of school, with so many mouths to feed. But she enrolled in Room to Read's Girls' Education Program and received the mentoring, life skills training and targeted support she needed to stay in school and thrive. Mama Leila attends regular meetings with Leila's mentor, Salome, and has learned how to support all of the children at home. Leila is proud to be a role model to her younger siblings and cousins, and passes on everything she learns to them. |
Support of Milestone Visit in India
Room to Read reached significant milestones in both its Literacy Program and its Girls’ Education Program, which were celebrated in November 2016 during a visit of board members and investors to the organization’s work in Uttarakhand, India. The organization celebrated its impact on 20,000 communities through its Literacy Program and support of 50,000 girls through its Girls’ Education Program. These two milestones are being highlighted at symbolic ceremonies led by Erin Ganju, CEO and Co-founder; John Wood, Founder; Dinesh Shrestha, Co-founder and Director of Field Operations; Dr. Geetha Murali, Chief Development & Communications Officer; as well as additional representatives of the organization’s global and local leadership, board members, Uttarakhand state government officials, and Room to Read investors. As part of the celebrations, the group visited Room to Read’s child-friendly libraries and learning environments; met trained teachers, librarians and mentors; participated in life skills sessions; and visited a gender resource center, a dedicated space for girls to study and interact with one another. |