Over the next few months, United Way Mumbai will bring together NGOs, companies and citizens with a heart to:

'The books will be curated keeping in mind the age, language proficiency and reading levels of the children. In addition to gifting books and libraries, we will also

NGOs interested in being part of the Let's READ campaign can send us an email at letsread@unitedwaymumbai.org

Let's READ Carnival Brings Joy to Saraswati VidyaNiketan - Ghatkopar

15th April 2024

As part of the Let's READ project supported by WTW India Pvt. Ltd, over 15 employee volunteers opened up the magical world of books and reading to 250+ students of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Mumbai. 1250 books and 4 mini-library bags were gifted to the school.

Building Bridges Through Books: Let's READ Campaign by WTW India Pvt. Ltd. Leaves Lasting Impact

15th April 2024

Under the Let's READ project supported by WTW India Pvt. Ltd., 1000+ students benefited from the Senior Secondary School - Dhankot and Daultabad, Gurugram, Government Senior Secondary School, Saket and Saraswati Vidyaniketan, Mumbai. While 5000+ reading books and 49 mini libraries were set up in these schools, the students enjoyed the assisted reading sessions conducted by 60+ employee volunteers from WTW. They now look forward to reading the books gifted to them

Storytelling Delight: Akanksha Shindewadi BMC School Joins LRC Activity

15th April 2024

240+ students from Akanksha Shindewadi BMC School, Mumbai were engaged in reading by employee volunteers from Khaitan & Co. The children had a fun filled day attending storytelling activities, storybooks selection and doing assisted reading

Let's READ Campaign Wraps Up Successfully Across Schools in Mumbai and Pune

15th April 2024

UBS Business Solutions India and Credit Suisse and their teams of employees contributed to the Let’s READ campaign in Mumbai and Pune. 3200+ students from multiple schools benefitted through gifting of mini libraries, book sets, animated reading sessions by professional storytellers and training for teachers. 150+ employee volunteers conducted assisted reading sessions in some of these schools.

Let's READ Activities supported by Iffco Tokio General Insurance

26th November 2019

With support from a corporate partner, Iffco Tokio General Insurance, United Way Mumbai conducted Let’s READ campaign activities for 95 young readers from Ahilya Vidya Mandir, Parel. Activities included a book distribution where over 475 storybooks and a mini library bags were gifted to the children from school. The book distribution was followed by 2 engaging storytelling activities, where children experienced their favourite stories through interactive storytelling sessions. These activities are aimed at encouraging a love for reading and books.

Let's READ Activities supported by Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.

14th November 2019

To commemorate Children's Day UWM conducted a Menstrual Hygiene and Anemia awareness session with the girls of the Children of the World (India) Trust, Navi Mumbai. 60+ girls from the organisation were gifted with sanitary napkins to highlight the importance of menstrual hygiene. The organisation also gifted the center a mini-library bag for the children. 

Let's READ Activities supported by Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.

14th November 2019

To commemorate Children's Day UWM conducted a Menstrual Hygiene and Anemia awareness session with the girls of the Children of the World (India) Trust, Navi Mumbai. 60+ girls from the organisation were gifted with sanitary napkins to highlight the importance of menstrual hygiene. The organisation also gifted the center a mini-library bag for the children. 

Let's READ Activities Under the Australian Consulate General's Direct Aid Programme

17th October 2019

Children had an amazing time throughout the session conducted by Uncle Larry Walsh and also enjoyed Ron Murray digeridoo playing during the session. 70 students from 9th grade of the school attended the storytelling activity organised by the Australian High Commission.  

Let's READ Carnival 2019

3rd October 2019

UWM organized it's annual "Let's READ Carnival" during Joy of Giving Week on 3rd and 10th of October for approximately 1300+ children from various NGOs and Schools, to celebrate the magic of books and joy of reading storybooks. The children from various low-income schools and NGOs enjoyed an enthralling day filled with the wonder of books and stories, through sessions by professional storytellers from the city. Each child could also take home a set of five multilingual books of her/his choice, as per their reading levels.

The accompanying teachers also attended teacher training workshops to understand ways of making books come alive in the classroom for the students. 132 employee volunteers from 10 corporates, 60 student volunteers from St. Stanislaus Boys School and 6 student volunteers from Fr. CRCE volunteered at the carnival, helping the children in assisted reading sessions; to get to their storytelling sessions and to choose books to take home. Overall 139 volunteer and UWM team members made a memorable day for the children at St. Stanislaus Boys School during the carnival.  

Lets READ activities supported by Iffco Tokio General Insurance at SSM School

30th September 2019

It was a joyful day for the children from SSM School, Parel as they received book sets under United Way Mumbai's Let's READ Campaign supported by Iffco Tokio General Insurance. The school was also gifted mini library bags and children from classes 5 and 6 had an enriching day by taking part in a professional story telling session.  

Lets READ activities supported by NESS Technologies Ltd at Aadarsh Vidyalay

20th September 2019

It was a memorable day for 60 children of the Aadarsh Vidyalay, as they received book sets under United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by NESS Technologies Ltd. The school was also gifted mini-library bag consist of English, Hindi and Marathi storybooks as part of the campaign activities and the children had an enthralling time as a professional storyteller engaged them in interactive storytelling sessions and drawing activities. 12 employees also interacted with children through the assisted reading session and other activities. 

Lets READ activities supported by NESS Technologies Ltd at Hope Foundation, Hyderabad School

19th September 2019

United Way Mumbai conducted Let’s READ campaign activities with support from NESS Technologies Ltd, to bring the wonder and joy of reading to  60+ children from Hope Foundation, Hyderabad School. At the event, a mini-library bag and 60+ book sets, comprising 5 books each were gifted to the children followed by an enthralling storytelling session. Children also took part in an assisted reading activity with the employee volunteers at the school. 

Lets READ activities supported by NESS Technologies Ltd at Hope Foundation School, Bangalore

30th August 2019

UWM's Lets Read Campaign supported by NESS Technologies Ltd. brought the joy of reading to 64 children of Hope Foundation School, Bangalore through activities such as two interactive storytelling sessions by professional storytellers along with a book distribution activity followed by assisted reading among the children and 6 employee volunteers. A mini-library bag was also gifted to the school.  

Lets READ activities conducted at Chennai Higher Secondary School

28th August 2019

United Way Mumbai brought the magic of books to the children from Teach for India classrooms from Chennai Higher Secondary School through the Let’s READ Campaign supported by Ness Technologies.  The event comprised two interactive storytelling sessions by professional storytellers as well as a book distribution activity, where a mini library bag and over 325 books were gifted to 65 enthusiastic children.

Lets READ activities conducted at Mohammadi Urdu High School

27th August 2019

Children from Mohammadi Urdus Class 6 attended a storytelling activity supported by the Australian High Commission's Direct Aid Programme. The school was also gifted with a mini-library bag for the children which consisted of storybooks across various reading levels and languages 

Let's READ Book Distribution & activities Supported by Iffco – Tokio General Insurance

20th August 2019

Through Iffco-Tokio General Insurance Company’s support for Let’s READ Campaign, UWM conducted a book distribution session whereby 380 books were gifted to 76 children from Karmaveer Bhaurao English High School and Sion-Koliwada. Additionally, a mini-library bag was handed over to the school and a funfilled storytelling session was conducted, where children enthusiastically created and enacted their own stories. 

Let's READ activities conducted at Nehru Nagar Upper Primary School

19th August 2019

It was a memorable day for 68 children from the 6th and 7th Grade class at Nehru Nagar Upper Primary School, as they received book sets under United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by Franklin Templeton Investments. The school was also gifted two mini-library bags as part of the campaign activities and the children had a wonderful time as a professional storyteller engaged them in interactive storytelling sessions where they were able to enact the stories.

Let's READ Campaign activities conducted at Chandrabhaga Vidya Mandir

15th July 2019

41 children from Chandrabhaga Vidya Mandir 7th Grade had a joyful day. Through support from the  Australian High Commission's Direct Aid Programme gifted 41 book sets and mini-library bags to the school. The school children also attended storytelling activity where they enacted the stories.  

Let's READ Campaign activities at Mohammadi Urdu High School, Bhandup

26th June 2019

It was a memorable day for 48 children from the 5th Grade class at Mohammadi Urdu High School, Bhandup. United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by Australian High Commission - Direct Aid Programme supported the gifting 48 book sets, two mini-library bags as part of the campaign activities while the children also attended a storytelling activity conducted by a Professional Storyteller. 

Let's READ Campaign activities conducted at SUPPORT- Girl Centre in Vakola

8th June 2019

United Way Mumbai conducted Let’s READ campaign activities with support from Australian High Commissions Direct Aid Programme, to bring the wonder and joy of reading to children at SUPPORT - Girl Centre in Vakola. At the event, mini-library bags were gifted to the centre. Additionally, an enthralling storytelling session was conducted for the children to inculcate a love of stories and adventure. 

Kherwadi Municipal School Let’s READ Activities

29th May 2019

Through the support of the Australian Consulate General in Mumbai’s Direct Aid Programme, United Way Mumbai conducted various Let’s READ Campaign activities at Kherwadi Municipal School in Bandra. A mini library bag was gifted to the school, comprising multi-lingual, illustrated books. The children also enjoyed a fun-filled storytelling session, listening to and enacting stories during a fun-filled storytelling session.

Let's READ Campaign activities conducted at the Shelter DonBosco, Wadala

28th May 2019

With the support of Australian High Commissions Direct Aid Programme, United Way Mumbai conducted Let's READ Campaign activities for 50+ children from the Shelter DonBosco, Wadala. The shelter home was gifted with a mini-library bag and took part in an enthralling storytelling session which was conducted for the children. 

Let's READ mini-library bags were gifted to Karunya Trust

23rd May 2019

 A mini-library bags were gifted to Karunya Trust - Gyaansathi students from Govandi under United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by the Australian Consulate-General Mumbai’s Direct Aid Programme. UWM team handed over the mini-library bags to the centre. An interactive storytelling session was also conducted to pique children’s interest in books and encourage them to read more storybooks for Joy.

Let's READ activities conducted at SUPPORT - a shelter home for boys

9th May 2019

Through UWM's Lets Read Campaign supported through Australian Consulate General's Direct Program (DAP), numerous fun-filled activities such storytelling and story enactment were carried out at SUPPORT - a shelter home for boys. To enable the children to have a wider range of access to storybooks, a library bag was also gifted which comprised of multi-lingual books across various reading levels. 

Let's READ Activities at Sakhi for Girl Child Education

17th April 2019

American educator and stateswoman, Mary Bethune highlights the importance of learning to read when she states, "The whole world opened to me when I learned to read". To promote a love for books and reading, United Way Mumbai conducted activities under the Let’s READ campaign supported by Australian Consulate General, Mumbai’s Direct Aid Programme. Through the initiative, two mini-library bags were gifted to the Sakhi for Girl Child Education Centre at Mulund, benefiting over 110 girls across age groups. The children were also excited to be a part of engaging storytelling and book reading sessions conducted by professional storytellers.

Let's READ Activities at Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Vidyalaya

12th April 2019

It was a memorable day for 122 children from the 4th Grade class at Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Vidyalaya, as they received book sets under United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by Franklin Templeton Investments. The school was also gifted two mini library bags as part of the campaign activities and the children had an enthralling time as a professional storyteller engaged them in interactive storytelling sessions.

Let's READ Activities Under the Australian Consulate General's Direct Aid Programme

29th March 2019

A mini-library bag was gifted to U.M. Thevar School, Dharavi under United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign supported by the Australian Consulate-General Mumbai’s Direct Aid Programme. Timothy Hall, Vice Consul and Second Secretary, along with members from the Consulate handed over the mini-library bag to the school. An interactive storytelling session was also conducted to pique children’s interest in books and encourage them to read more.

Let's READ Book Distribution Supported by Iffco – Tokio General Insurance

28th March 2019

A book opens up a world of possibilities and dreams for children. Through Iffco-Tokio General Insurance Company’s support for the Let’s READ campaign activities, UWM conducted a book distribution session whereby 125 books were gifted to 25 children from K.D. Gaikwad Marathi Municipal School, Sion-Koliwada. Additionally, a mini library bag was handed over to the school and a fun storytelling session was conducted, where children enthusiastically created and enacted their own stories.

Let's READ Activities at Thane Municipal Marathi and Urdu School 120

14th March 2019

Author, Stephen King describes books as being a "uniquely portable magic”. United Way Mumbai brought the magic of books to children of Thane Municipal Urdu School No. 120 through the Let’s READ Campaign. Activities were conducted with support from the Australian Consulate General under Mumbai’s Direct Aid Programme. The event comprised two interactive storytelling sessions by professional storytellers as well as a book distribution activity, where, two mini library bags and over 320 books were gifted to 64 enthusiastic children.

Let's READ Activities at Mohili Village Mumbai Public School

25th January 2019

Book Distribution at Anand Vidya Niketan

15th December 2018

 

With support from corporate partner, Bloomberg, United Way Mumbai conducted Let’s READ campaign activities for 107 young readers from Anand Vidya Niketan, Pune. Activities included a book distribution session where over 535 storybooks and a mini library bag were gifted to the children from Anand Vidya Niketan. The book distribution session was followed by 2 engaging storytelling activities, where children experienced their favourite stories through interactive storytelling sessions. The activities aimed at encouraging a love for reading and books.

Book Distribution at Ashadeep Association, Sahara Centre

26th November 2018

 

With support from Henkel, book sets (comprising 5 books each) and a mini library bag were gifted to 32 children at the Ashadeep Association, Sahara Centre. The book distribution was followed by an interactive and engaging storytelling session by a professional storyteller, followed by a fun art activity with the children.

Letter of thanks from the Consulate General of Canada

30th October 2018

Letter of thanks from the Consulate General of Canada for UWM's support in commemoration of the "International Day of the Girl Child" and for promoting education through "Let's READ".

Downloads
Letter of Thanks United Way Mumbai.pdf

Let's READ Carnival 2018

4th October 2018

As part of the Joy of Giving Week, UWM organized its annual "Let’s READ Carnival” on the 4th of October for approximately 1300 children from various NGOs and Schools, to celebrate the magic of books and reading. The children enjoyed an enthralling day filled with the wonder of books and stories, through sessions by professional storytellers. Each child could also take home a set of five multilingual books of her/his choice, as per their reading level. The accompanying teachers also attended teacher training workshops to understand ways of making books come alive for the students. 240 employee volunteers from 12 corporates, 79 student volunteers from St. Stanislaus Boys School and 18 student volunteers from Indian School of Management and Entrepreneurship (ISME) volunteered at the carnival, helping the children in assisted reading sessions; to get to their storytelling sessions and to choose books to take home. 

Our thanks to

• HSBC, who supported an entire batch of 300 children
• Motilal Oswal Financial Service Limited, who supported five mini-library bags
• Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai, for supporting one teachers' training workshop
• The 12 corporates whose employee volunteers helped in making the event a success
• St. Stanislaus School for providing us with the venue for the event

The organisations participating at the event included:

 

Kotak Education Foundation

Teach for India

·         Siddharth Nagar Municipal School

·         Shree Geeta Vidyalaya

VIDYA

·         Tadwadi Upper Primary Hindi School

·         Gowandi Education Trust School

·         Swami Muktanand School

D.B. Kulkarni High School (Prabhavati Marathi Medium)

U.M.T High School

Gurunanak High School

The Akanksha Foundation

·         Natwar Nagar Mumbai Public School

·         D. N. Nagar Mumbai Public School

·         Sitaram Mills Compound School

Aseema

·         Kherwadi Municipal School

·         Pali Chimbai Municipal School

VIDYA Let's READ Activities

11th September 2018


Spreading love and joy, one child at a time, United Way Mumbai’s Let’s READ Campaign, supported by Deloitte gifted over 700 books to children at 9 VIDYA centres across Mumbai. The children had a fun-filled day with animated story telling sessions and book reading activities.

International Literacy Day: Desire Society Let's READ Activity

9th September 2018

Ashadeep Association Let's READ Activities

8th September 2018

Children at Ashadeep Association proved to be reading enthusiasts at the Let's READ campaign activities, supported by Henkel. 38 overjoyed children at the organisation were engrossed in the storytelling session held as a part of UWM's International Literacy Day activities. One mini library bag and 190 books were gifted as part of this initiative.

Let's READ Activities in Mumbai Supported by Iffco Tokio

2nd August 2018


Among all the gifts one can receive, "a book is a gift you can open again and again", as Garrison Keiller rightly says.

Iffco Tokio supported United Way Mumbai's Let's READ Campaign in 10 schools, gifting over 3020 books and 10 mini library bags to 604 eager children at various MCGM schools across Mumbai. The company also supported 18 storytelling sessions in the schools

Holy Star English School Let's READ Activity

2nd August 2018


Another day, another group of enthusiastic children!

A mini library bag and more than 200 book sets were gifted to children at Holy Star English School, Malvani under United Way Mumbai's Let's READ Campaign, supported by Bloomberg. The children were completely absorbed in the interactive storytelling session that followed.

Let's READ Activity

14th February 2018

It was a fun filled and magical day of storytelling and the wonder of books at the Holy Mother English School. The activities, supported by Bloomberg were a part of United Way Mumbai's Let's READ campaign. More than 500 books were distributed to over 100 enthusiastic schoolchildren!

United Way Mumbai Day of Action: Let's READ Carnival

30th June 2017

The Let's READ Carnival, an all-day event, which happened on the 22nd of June, 2017, aimed to bring the world of books and reading under one roof. On 22nd, 1500 underprivileged children from 15 NGOs, working across the city of Mumbai were treated to a day filled with fun, learning and the magic and wonder of books. 

At the event, nine gifted professional storytellers brought stories to life, by engaging and entertaining children through 48 sessions of storytelling and art and craft activities. Student workshops were held to give children the opportunity to learn about various careers available in the world of books, from professionals in the industry. Teachers' workshops were also conducted to guide the teachers in making stories come alive, for their students.

Overall, 9000 books were distributed to the children during the Carnival.

Let's READ: Magic of Books at Mumbai Mobile Creches

21st October 2016

12 mini-library bags, with 150 books each were distributed to the various centres of Mumbai Mobile Creches in the city. The magical books and the book reading sessions at Mumbai Mobile Creches have helped make all the stories come alive for the 672 underprivileged children who attend the centres. For images of the book reading session, please visit: goo.gl/xw9d6W.

Let's READ Campaign Update

20th October 2016

Through the Let's READ campaign, UWM has helped spread the joy of reading to over 7500 children from marginalised communities. A total of 29 mini library bags have been distributed and 7 story-telling sessions have been organised, delighting and entertaining many. If you would like to see the images of our book distribution and story telling event organised for the underprivileged children attending Vidya School, click here

Let's READ

28th April 2016

Corporate, Agilent is on board with United Way Mumbai and will partner with us for the Let's READ campaign!