Festive greetings and best wishes for 2020, from the team at FT Longitude!

For the last few years, we’ve been raising money for Room to Read, a global charity helping to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Earlier this year, we were delighted to announce that we were able to fund the creation of a brand new library at the Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Shakarpur school in Delhi, helping the next generation of students at the school break the cycle of illiteracy. The funding not only provided hundreds of books for the children to read, but also provided vital library management training for the staff and teachers involved in the day-to-day running of the school.

This year, we’ve been working towards another goal: Room to Read‘s Girls’ Education Program. This program helps girls stay in school longer and acquire the skills and agency they need to make informed choices about their lives.

Cultural bias, gender discrimination and safety concerns often discourage girls from the communities we want to support, from learning. The Girls’ Education Program was founded to help these girls realise their potential.

Throughout the year, we’ve run a number of activities to help raise money for the cause, from sponsored swims and pub quizzes, to bake sales and a summer picnic, and instead of sending holiday cards this season, we’ve made a donation to support the great work it does because we also believe that World Change Starts with Educated Children.

To learn more about the great work the charity does, visit their website. Or to help Room to Read to change thousands of children’s lives around the world by making a donation here.

From all of us at FT Longitude, we wish you all a restful break, and a happy new year!