From Reading Clubs to Community Entrepreneurship: A Successful Transition Toward Sustainability
In Kisantu, in the Kongo Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an inspiring movement is taking shape as the World Vision programme approaches its closure, scheduled for September 2026. Since 2015, reading clubs have been a cornerstone of children’s development in the community. Implemented under the Unlock Literacy 2.0 approach, these clubs aim to improve children’s reading comprehension while strengthening parental engagement.
For several years, reading club facilitators have worked voluntarily, driven by their desire to give children a better future. Herditte, Child Well-Being Facilitator, explains: “In Kisantu, we emphasize community and parental engagement through reading clubs to help all children read with comprehension.” In 2023, a symbolic allowance of 5 USD was introduced to cover the facilitators’ transport costs, but deeper reflection soon led to a more strategic decision.
In 2024, faced with the upcoming closure of the programme, reading club facilitators made a remarkable choice: to give up their allowance and instead invest in a sustainable initiative. Choisi, a reading club facilitator, shares:
“We decided to stop receiving this money so it could be used to create an income generating activity that would sustain the reading clubs.”
With support from World Vision, five tricycle motorbikes were purchased in 2025, quickly becoming both an economic and social catalyst. Gloire, facilitator and coordinator of the initiative, explains:
“These tricycles help us buy supplies for the reading clubs and create a good learning environment. They also help farming parents transport their produce to the markets.”
The impact now extends far beyond education alone.
The initiative has already created five jobs for tricycle drivers. Arnold, 26, a father of two, testifies:
“Before, it was hard to feed my children. Today, thanks to this job, I can provide for my family.”
This stands as a concrete example of the transformative power of a community-driven approach.
Revenue generated from the tricycles is managed in a structured and transparent way. Micheline, facilitator and treasurer of the initiative, notes: “We already have USD 2,500 in our account. This allows us to maintain the tricycles and consider other income generating activities.” This long-term vision strengthens the resilience of the entire community.
Today, the facilitators feel confident in their ability to continue without external support. Germain affirms:
“World Vision has taught us to spread our wings… and we are already flying. Even if the programme ended today, the activities would continue.”
In Kisantu, 35 reading clubs currently support more than 1,400 children. The model demonstrates how a community-centered approach can transform living conditions far beyond the lifespan of a programme. Reading clubs have become much more than learning spaces; they have evolved into a sustainable development model where education, economic empowerment, and community engagement reinforce one another to ensure lasting change.