Room to Read India
Suraj Kumar is an experienced professional in the field of social work and program management, currently serving as the State Co-ordinator for Jharkhand at Room to Read India since April 2022, with additional responsibilities for Bihar. Prior positions include Director - In-Charge of Bihar Programs and Assistant Director of Uttar Pradesh Programs at SOS Children's Villages of India from May 2017 to March 2022. Suraj Kumar has also held various roles at Pratham, such as State Head for Jharkhand and Rajasthan, and State Program Manager, as well as Program Officer from June 2008 to November 2016. Earlier experience includes serving as a Fellow at Tata-Dhan Academy from July 2006 to June 2008. Educational credentials include a Master's in Social Work with a focus on Child Rights from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management from Tata-Dhan Academy, with ongoing studies in a Certificate Program in Result-Based Program Management at the Indian School of Development Management set to conclude in May 2024.
Room to Read India
Room to Read is a global nonprofit transforming the lives of children in low-income communities by focusing on Literacy and Gender equality in education. Established in India in 2003, presently has programs in twelve states – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi NCR, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Our Literacy Program has been implemented in 15642 government schools, training 25,741 teachers trained in library management and reading activities. Over the same period our Girls’ Education & Gender Equality Program has benefited over 62,457 girls. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, our innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. The Room to Read global headquarters is in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Hong Kong, London, and Delhi. For queries reached out to info.india@roomtoread.org