Kodak partners with Room to Read to support literacy program in India

George Eastman once said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” Today, Kodak continues to support global educational projects through its Print for Good program, which focuses on supporting literacy initiatives around the world with books and school supply donations.

Kodak recently partnered with the nonprofit organization, Room to Read, to help build a library in Rajasthan, India. Room to Read’s mission is to develop literacy skills among primary school children in low-income communities throughout Africa, Asia, and most recently, Central America.

Room to Read develops and implements each project around a four-year plan. They build libraries in primary schools, deliver and replenish the books in the children’s local languages, and most importantly, provide the necessary training for teachers, parents and local community stakeholders so the libraries are sustainable over the long-term.

With Kodak’s support, Room to Read was able to build a library at a school in the city of Jodhpur. In addition to over 500 books, Room to Read supplied desks, tables, book display racks, cushions, mats, display boards, posters and paint. They also made repairs to the roof, windows and blackboard.

Kodak employees recently visited the newly-established library. Students from the school read from their books, recited poetry, and performed songs and dances. The students presented the Kodak team with personalized, hand-crafted greeting cards, along with a paper sword, which is an integral symbol of Rajasthani/Rajputana heritage.

As one Kodak participant, Hersh Lulla, shared, “To see a five-year-old child recite poetry from memory with confidence and describe her story was quite an experience.”

Kodak was proud to partner with Room to Read to make a difference in the lives of the students in this community through the power of print.