From Silent Struggle to Confident Reader: Simon’s Journey to Literacy

Simon lives in Kisantu, in the Kongo Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. At just 10 years old, he carried a heavy secret: he did not know how to read. Ironically, his favourite subject at school was French. Yet every time the teacher asked someone to read aloud, Simon lowered his eyes, hoping not to be chosen.

Letters looked blurry, words seemed too long, and pages too complex. This struggle weighed heavily on him. His grades dropped, he participated less in class, and he preferred to stay alone to avoid revealing his difficulty.

His mother, Léonie, still remembers that difficult period:

“Simon wanted to work well, but he couldn’t read. I could see he was suffering inside, even if he didn’t say it.”

One day, a neighbor told Léonie about the reading clubs established by World Vision. She learned that in AP Kisantu there are 35 active reading clubs, supporting more than 1,400 children through simple, local, and playful learning methods.

That is how Simon entered the RUTH Reading Club for the first time, where he met Choisi, one of the facilitators known for his calm and kindness. During the first days, Simon discovered a different atmosphere: children learning through play, stories read aloud, syllables cut from local cardboard, and images created by the community.

“At the reading club, I wasn’t ashamed. They encouraged me even when I couldn’t do it.”
Simon recalls.

But a few weeks later, Simon suddenly stopped coming. Doubt returned. Fear too. He thought he would never succeed. So he withdrew.

Choisi decided to intervene:

“I knew Simon was capable. I went to his house. I told him: you can do it, I believe in you.”

Simon remembers this moment with emotion:

“When my facilitator came to get me, I understood that I mattered to someone. I decided to come back.”

Once he returned to the club, Simon restarted slowly: letters, sounds, syllables… then words. The facilitators supported him at every step, celebrating each small progress. Day after day, Simon improved.

One morning, he finally read his first sentence by himself.
That moment marked the beginning of a new life.

At school, the change became visible. He participated more, dared to raise his hand, and no longer hid his notebook.

Proudly, he said:

“Now I can read and write. Later, I want to become a mechanic. I want to repair motorcycles and cars.”

His mother testifies:

“My son has changed. He works seriously. He has regained his joy and courage.”

Herditté, Child Wellbeing Facilitator in AP Kisantu, explains that the reading clubs offer a safe space where children learn through locally made materials, adapted educational games, positive reinforcement, and constant emotional support.

He adds:

“In AP Kisantu, our 35 reading clubs reach more than 1,400 children. Every week, we see real progress. Simon’s story shows that when a child is encouraged, they can go very far.”

Simon concludes:

“Thank you to the facilitators, thank you to the sponsors, thank you to World Vision. Thanks to you, I can read now.”