History

Watoto Wasome was ideated in 2019 by two passionate educators after volunteering to teach children in Kibera slums and experiencing firsthand the challenges faced by them in reading. This included 10-year-olds struggling to identify more than three letters in the alphabet. This interaction, and a love for children, instilled a deep empathy for the struggles they face when accessing quality education and that is when Watoto Wasome was founded.

We chose to focus on the early years to ensure the young ones do not fall behind while helping the older ones gain foundational literacy skills missed. As teachers, we also noticed a stark difference in the reading attitudes in well-resourced schools and these children and wanted to bring the joy of learning to them through engaging activities as it also motivates them to learn and improve. So far, we have grown to a team of over 30 active volunteers and each year we record over 50% increase in children’s literacy levels and even more joy and smiles from them.

Meet Our Team

Danielle Ochieng’

Founder & CEO

As a passionate educator dedicated to children’s literacy, Danielle finds profound fulfillment in integrating the joy of learning into the lives of underserved children. Watoto Wasome continuously gifts her the chance to make a tangible impact, nurturing children’s literacy one letter-sound at a time.

Onyango Ochieng’

Director & Finance Manager

Having taught before, Richard realized the profound impact of not just teaching, but teaching effectively. This experience ignited his passion for helping children learn. Watoto Wasome provides an opportunity to improve children’s lives by teaching thus bridging the literacy gap.

Joan Masinde

Head of Communication

Joan takes pride in using storytelling as a tool to drive social change. As an advocate for women and children, her work at Watoto Wasome shapes the future of underserved children and sparks essential conversations on eradicating illiteracy as a path to a sustainable future.

Reach & Scope

Our age focus is on children aged 3-10 years, primarily through partnerships with children’s homes and rescue centers because they are often forgotten in learning outreach since they aren’t school organizations. However, we also work with community schools in slum and rural areas. Our work is centered on environments where children often lack access to quality and engaging literacy education due to socio-economic factors and are most at risk of falling behind in learning.

Is the Sky the Limit?

Watoto Wasome is on a mission to eradicate illiteracy among Kenyan children by 2050. We strive to ensure that every Kenyan child, regardless of their background, gains the best foundational literacy skills and storybooks to become their best possible self.

Our Core Values

Child-Centered Learning

Since every child has the potential to learn and grow when engaged in the right way, we use a hands-on approach that makes learning both fun and meaningful. By using affordable materials that are easily adaptable to different environments, we create interactive learning experiences that lead to better outcomes.

Commitment to Physical Storybooks

We believe in the irreplaceable joy and immersive experience of turning the pages of a physical book and engaging with each tangible page and picture. For many children, this is their first-ever experience with a storybook, making it a powerful gateway to a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Evidence-Based Learning

We are committed to measuring and improving our programs to ensure they effectively enhance children's literacy. We conduct initial assessments to gauge each child's literacy level, tailor learning activities to support their growth, and track progress through continuous assessments. A final assessment at the end of the program measures growth and guides future improvements, ensuring our programs remain effective and responsive to children’s needs.

A Foundation of Love

Our work is grounded in love because we believe that every child deserves to feel cared for, supported and valued. We prioritize building strong, trusting relationships before teaching because we know this makes learning easier and more meaningful. By nurturing a sense of belonging, we create an environment where every child can thrive.

The Watoto Wasome Formula

Become a Partner,
Help us Teach a Child to Read.

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