For many children, the journey into the world of reading begins with something simple — a book placed in their hands at the right moment.
Often, that moment happens in a school library or at home during bedtime reading. But for thousands of children growing up in underserved communities across Uganda, the opportunity rarely comes. Not because they lack curiosity or interest, but because books are simply not available.
For more than a decade, the 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation has been working to address that gap by expanding access to learning resources for children.
Founded in 2012, the volunteer-led organisation mobilises communities, partners and individual supporters to improve learning opportunities for children through reading initiatives, school partnerships and community programmes.
Over the years, the foundation has supported thousands of learners while promoting a culture of giving, where even small contributions can help create meaningful change.
In 2023, those efforts led to the establishment of the Angaza Resource Centre, a learning hub built through the collective support of volunteers, partners and individual donors.
Located in Kibuli, the centre provides children with free access to books, computers and a safe, child-friendly learning environment.
For many children who visit the centre, it is their first experience seeing shelves filled with books they are free to explore.
Teachers and volunteers say the impact has extended beyond academics. Children who regularly visit the centre have shown increased confidence in reading, greater participation in classroom discussions and a growing curiosity about the world around them.
However, one challenge has remained: many children who could benefit from the centre live too far away to access it.
That realisation has inspired the foundation’s next initiative — a mobile library designed to bring books directly to communities with limited learning resources.
Instead of waiting for children to reach a library, the project aims to take the library to them.
To support this effort, the foundation will participate in the Little by Little Campaign, a four-day global crowdfunding initiative organised by GlobalGiving, scheduled to run from March 16 to March 20.
The campaign encourages individuals around the world to support grassroots organisations through small donations. During the campaign period, all eligible donations of up to $50 per donor will be matched by 50 percent.
According to Esther Kalenzi, Team Lead of the foundation, the campaign reflects a long-standing philosophy that meaningful change often begins with small acts of generosity.
“A lot of the work we have done has been possible because ordinary people chose to give what they could,” Kalenzi said. “Little by little, those small contributions have allowed us to create spaces where children can read, learn and feel supported.”
She said the planned mobile library will extend reading opportunities to communities that currently lack access to learning materials.
If the campaign succeeds, the foundation plans to reach at least 20 additional schools and communities with limited educational resources. The expansion would significantly increase the organisation’s reach beyond the four schools currently served by the Angaza Resource Centre.
For the children who will encounter those books, the impact may appear simple at first — a new story, a quiet place to read or a moment of curiosity sparked by a page.
But educators say such moments can shape a lifelong relationship with learning.