Monrovia, Liberia – Brussels Airlines, together with its CSR partner help alliance, has launched the “Read to Succeed” literacy program, a transformative reading and phonics initiative implemented by the Rosetta Steps Education Center. With support from a substantial grant by help alliance, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Lufthansa Group, the program seeks to empower young learners in underserved Liberian communities.
The “Read to Succeed” program has already marked a significant achievement, with 128 young participants completing their training and receiving certificates. These participants include 28 students from Abedu Bentsi Public School, 50 students from the PUCC Community, 20th Street, Sinkor, 50 students from various schools along Caldwell Road in the New Kru Town Community.
The launch event drew esteemed guests, including the Brussels Airlines crew; Lena Vaulont of help alliance; Marjolein Six, Brussels Airlines Country Manager for Liberia; USAID Country Director Mr. Jim Wright; and Liberia’s Civil Aviation Authority Chair. Brussels Airlines CEO Dorothea von Boxberg also sent her greetings and congratulated the program participants.
The “Read to Succeed” initiative is a structured literacy program designed to improve reading proficiency among primary school students. Trained teachers work directly with students to enhance their phonics skills, word recognition, and reading abilities through targeted instruction.
Key components of the program include baseline assessment that identifies students’ current letter-sound relationships, word recognition, and decoding skills, the introduction of 1,000 sight words and 17 essential phonics skills critical for reading success.
Spanning four months, the program delivers consistent, targeted instruction, helping students build a strong foundation in phonics, expand their vocabulary, and improve overall reading proficiency.
“At Brussels Airlines, our commitment goes beyond providing air travel between Monrovia and Brussels. We aim to be true partners for the Liberian people,” said Marjolein Six, Country Manager for Brussels Airlines in Liberia. “Learning to read and write is a lifelong gift. Through our partnership with the Read to Succeed program, we’re planting seeds that will allow young Liberians to blossom.”
Ama Harris, representative of the Rosetta Steps Education Foundation, echoed these sentiments: “Our organization is founded on the belief that education is a human right and a powerful tool to combat inequality, poverty, and discrimination. With literacy rates below 50 percent in Liberia, we are driven by the legacy of Rosetta Benson, one of Liberia’s most dedicated educators, to empower as many young Liberians as possible. We’re thrilled to have the support of Brussels Airlines and help alliance in making this mission a reality.”
This partnership between Brussels Airlines, help alliance, and the Rosetta Steps Education Foundation exemplifies a shared commitment to fostering literacy and educational growth in Liberia, with hopes that the “Read to Succeed” program will have a lasting impact on the nation’s future generations.
