2024 Global Learning Challenge
NABU Multilingual Reading App and Web Reader
What is the name of your solution?
NABU Multilingual Reading App and Web Reader
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
NABU is a free,fun-to-use, digital educational tool that provides children with equal access to high-quality, mother-tongue, bi-lingual content.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
New York, NY, USAIn what country is your solution team headquartered?
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Globally, 400M children do not have adequate literacy to participate in their societies. Much of the world they live in is inaccessible, distant and foreign. In fact, 53% of children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple story by the end of primary school.
Nearly 40% of children worldwide face a considerable challenge in attaining foundational literacy due to the scarcity of educational materials available in languages they speak or comprehend. Even in cases where multilingual resources exist, they often fail to consider the cultural nuances of diverse communities, often reinforcing cultural biases and perpetuating a hegemonic digital landscape. This scarcity of digital content available in local languages significantly impedes comprehension and engagement with online resources, thereby widening the already substantial digital divide. The lack of access to digital learning content is deepening inequalities, marginalization and exclusion.
The consequence of this educational deficit is profound; without access to quality education, culturally-relevant learning materials and the attainment of basic literacy, individuals lack the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for meaningful engagement in a technology-driven world and the global digital economy. This educational disparity contributes significantly to the widening gaps in inequality. Failure to address this issue will result in technology exacerbating economic disparity rather than serving as an equalizing force.
NABU’s app and web reader address these challenges by publishing free high-quality, bilingual, and mother tongue storybooks that enhance comprehension and engagement. By collaborating with local authors and illustrators, NABU ensures that the stories reflect the cultural nuances and daily realities of its readers, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
What is your solution?
NABU is a free, fun-to-use, digital educational tool that enriches children's literacy by providing access to high-quality, bilingual content in mother tongue languages. Our solution incorporates a pedagogical framework based on educational best practices to increase children’s reading and language development. By collaborating with local authors and illustrators, NABU ensures that the stories reflect the cultural nuances and daily realities of readers, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. NABU offers a frictionless digital publishing solution, enabling local artists to share their completed works with millions of children.
NABU has two core technology products, the NABU app and NABU web reader.
Our low bandwidth app is designed to make mother tongue books accessible to all, especially in regions where physical books are scarce. The app, which houses a vast collection of books in 27 languages serves as a bridge between children and knowledge, enabling them to read and learn seamlessly. NABU intentionally developed a low-bandwidth app that offers leveled and curated content, ensuring wide accessibility. The app has offline capabilities which allows for children to download and access the books without data for reading later on. The NABU APP is free and available to download on iOS or Android. NABU tracks app metrics such as: time spent reading, number of books read, gender, age and number of downloads to understand usage patterns and impact.
The NABU Web Reader was launched in 2023 as a direct response to the user/stakeholder research, through which we learned that many schools and libraries in our target markets would benefit from a version of our product that is accessible on laptops. We also developed the website to be user friendly, removing all barriers to entry like signing up. The Web Reader is especially beneficial for classrooms with projectors, where teachers can use the tool for in-class read aloud sessions.
NABU’s goal is to transform our reading app into a literacy tool. We have kickstarted this by designing our core technology to improve the reading experience and to support interactive features such as: audio narration, reading comprehension activities and to ensure curriculum alignment. These features will transform reading into an active learning process that caters to various learning styles and reinforces language skills, comprehension, and critical thinking.
For a closer look at how NABU works, please view our product demo here: https://youtu.be/Sns6VJznKIg
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
NABU's target population are pre-primary school children, who currently have little or no access to fun, engaging storybooks in a language they speak or understand. Representing a staggering 40% of children globally, these young learners often have limited avenues to nurture their early literacy skills. This scarcity places them at an increased risk of academic challenges, including potential school dropout and lower literacy outcomes as they progress in their educational journey.
NABU aims to foster inclusive and equitable access to books for children in our target markets. Exposure to NABU's storybooks allows children to connect with the reading material on a relevant and meaningful level, fostering sociolinguistinc pride, motivation, love of reading, and sustained engagement with reading materials. Finally, we amplify pathways to literacy by spurring a culture of reading within the community and supporting children’s psychological well-being through curated reading materials.
In partnership with Social Creatures, we carried out an extensive impact study in Kenya and Rwanda, aiming to assess progress against our theory of change. The study had three primary objectives: to assess if sustained NABU users show increased levels of NABU’s theory of change short-term outcome goals relative to new NABU users; to identify characteristics of sustained NABU users vs. drop-off NABU users; and to identify positive characteristics of NABU books that delight children, and that they would like to see more or less of. The results provided compelling evidence that NABU is making a significant positive impact. Notably, sustained NABU users demonstrated significantly higher levels of children’s self-esteem, affirming the social and emotional benefits of reading NABU books. Additionally, the qualitative findings reinforced that children derive enjoyment from our books, which in turn fosters a love of reading. These outcomes are critical as they directly contribute to our core mission of enhancing literacy and underscore the transformative power of culturally resonant reading material.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
NABU's approach to educational solutions is deeply rooted in community engagement and responsive design, making our team exceptionally well-positioned to deliver impactful solutions to the communities we serve. At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to human-centered design, demonstrated by our Chief Product Officer's leadership in comprehensive field research across Rwanda and Kenya. This research involved over 40 hours of interviews, focus groups, and co-design sessions with parents, teachers, administrators, and local partners, providing our team with critical insights that directly influence our technology and pedagogy roadmaps.
Our model prioritizes the cultural relevance of our content. We employ over 250 local creatives from diverse regions including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, the Philippines, Romania, and Haiti, who bring their unique perspectives and voices to the creation of our materials. This not only ensures the authenticity of our content but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride within the communities. By allowing stories and illustrations to be crafted by those within the community, we ensure that our educational materials resonate more deeply with the children and families they are designed for.
Additionally, our local teams, composed of highly-qualified professionals recruited from the local community, play a pivotal role in ensuring that our initiatives are tailored to local contexts and needs. Led by dedicated Country Managers with deep knowledge of local markets, trained in human-centered design and iterative program development, they are responsible for ensuring that our programs are culturally relevant, impactful, and sustainable for the long term.
Our team's effectiveness is further evidenced by our track record. Under the leadership of Tanyella Alison, our CEO and co-creator, NABU has successfully navigated the complexities of literacy access across various cultural landscapes.
Tanyella’s personal experiences, from teaching in Uganda to leading global development programs, have profoundly shaped NABU's mission and strategies. Her accolades, including being named a Forbes' 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur and receiving the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, underscore her commitment and effectiveness in driving social change through education.
Through these efforts, NABU not only delivers educational content but also builds a foundation for lasting educational engagement and literacy improvement, proving that our team is not only capable of designing solutions but also uniquely connected to the people we aim to serve. Our hands-on approach and continuous feedback loops with the community ensure that our solutions are not only adopted but also cherished, creating meaningful and measurable impact in the lives of millions.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Ensure that all children are learning in good educational environments, particularly those affected by poverty or displacement.Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
ScaleWhy are you applying to Solve?
The specific challenges we aim to address with the support of MIT SOlVE include; technology enhancement, market expansion and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
As the global data and technology landscape shifts towards 5G and improved smartphone penetration, we recognize the necessity of advancing our technological infrastructure. Solve’s expertise and resources could accelerate our development of a top-tier digital user experience, making our educational app not just accessible but also a delight for children to use. This transition from low bandwidth to best in the class technology is central to our technology roadmap, including integrating advanced features such as custom publishing formats, audio narrations, and gamified assessments aligned with national curricula.
As NABU transitions into a digital literacy tool, we recognize the importance of expanding our reach and adapting our solution to meet diverse market needs. Solve’s global network can provide strategic insights and connections that will aid in scaling our operations, allowing us to reach more children in varied educational environments. This expansion is crucial for meeting our goal of widespread literacy enhancement.
We also need support developing a robust M&E framework that aligns with our technology roadmap is crucial for quantifying our impact on literacy. Solve’s community of practice could provide invaluable methodologies and tools for capturing precise data on user engagement and literacy outcomes.
Through Solve, NABU envisions not only enhancing our product offerings but also cementing our model’s efficiency—ensuring that our digital solutions remain reliable, swift, and sustainable. The strategic partnership with Solve will empower us to directly measure our reach and impact, fundamentally shifting how we operationalize literacy development for millions of children.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Tanyella Alison
What makes your solution innovative?
NABU's innovative approach lies in its dedication to providing high-quality, bilingual educational content in children's mother tongues. Our platform stands out because it not only addresses the linguistic needs of young learners but also embraces and reinforces the cultural and sociolinguistic contexts that are crucial for effective early education.
Research, including cross-cultural studies in Africa and Asia by UNESCO, consistently shows that learning in one's mother tongue in the early grades boosts comprehension, engagement, and overall educational outcomes. Such studies underline that mother tongue books are critical for bridging the gap to reading in secondary languages like English or national languages, which are often seen as languages of power in business and government. Despite its proven effectiveness, mother tongue education faces challenges such as stigma from the community and a misconception that it may hinder access to global or dominant languages.
NABU directly tackles these challenges by using mother tongue learning with bilingual education and integrating it into our technology. This approach not only improves literacy rates but also combats the stigma associated with mother tongue instruction. By partnering with local authors and illustrators to create relatable and culturally rich content, NABU fosters a sense of pride in local languages and cultures.
Additionally, our app and web reader incorporates findings from related research, such as that conducted by Dr. Brito, which demonstrates the importance of maintaining heritage languages within families. By including features that encourage sociolinguistic pride, such as stories that highlight cultural heroes or significant historical narratives in native languages, NABU helps reinforce positive identity formation and academic achievement.
Describe in simple terms how and why you expect your solution to have an impact on the problem.
NABU seeks to help eradicate childhood illiteracy by leveraging three key evidence-based pathways that support children’s reading and language development. Our solution was designed to holistically support children’s literacy development by: (1) bridging opportunity gaps for historically excluded children and families, (2) engaging readers through culturally-representative reading materials, and (3) creating contexts of support for children’s learning.
Our theory of change is substantiated by a large body of research that supports that bridging opportunity gaps to provide children and families with equitable access to learning materials, as well as supporting children’s learning through engaging, culturally-representative content and contexts of support are keys to promoting a culture of reading and greater literacy gains in children.
NABU’s solution leverages these pathways to literacy by empowering local creators to produce culturally relevant children’s books across key knowledge domains through: The Creative Fellowship; publishing, leveling, and distributing content for free on our low bandwidth app and web reader; and developing NABU’s Bridge to Literacy (B2L) Program, which is a community-led approach to support and empower caregivers and adults to read with children, to ensure a supportive literacy environment takes root in the community. Our solution is premised on building strategic partnerships in each market with governments, communities, teachers, civil society, and telecommunication companies to bridge the literacy gap, engaging and empowering communities to drive the change and develop a culture of reading. Our content is developed to increase reader engagement and time spent reading by developing culturally relevant, mother tongue stories that captivate and motivate our readers. Our app allows for these books to be accessible to all children and caregivers through our innovative tech and expert team.
Through these three comprehensive pathways NABU achieves several short-term outcomes. These include fostering inclusive and equitable access to books for children in our target markets. We give children access to culturally relevant content in their mother tongue language that represents historically excluded stories and characters. Exposure to these stories and characters allows children and their caregivers to connect with the reading material on a relevant and meaningful level, fostering sociolinguistinc pride, motivation, love of reading, and sustained engagement with reading materials. Finally, we amplify these pathways to literacy by spurring a culture of reading within the community and supporting children’s psychological well-being through curated reading materials.
Notably, NABU’s stories and characters are created by local, historically excluded authors and illustrators who are trained and employed by NABU. As a result, these authors and illustrators are economically empowered through this content development model and the creation of a niche, globally inclusive publishing industry. Our content development model is redefining the global publishing industry by designing innovative and inclusive infrastructure for creating, publishing, and distributing books. Ultimately, our long-term goals are to increase children’s literacy skills, enhance academic progress, and improve socioeconomic outcomes for historically excluded readers, authors, and illustrators, alike. In doing so, NABU hopes to disrupt the intergenerational cycle of poverty and foster the growth of more informed, engaged, and inclusive societies.
What are your impact goals for your solution and how are you measuring your progress towards them?
NABU is committed to providing children with inclusive and equitable access to literacy through our innovative app and web reader. By publishing mother tongue content on our innovative app and web reader and actively engaging communities in reading by 2030, then children will develop effective literacy skills that lead to more equitable educational and employment opportunities that ultimately disrupt intergenerational poverty and result in social and economic development.
To track our progress towards these goals, NABU employs a blend of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods:
Quantitative Metrics:
Content: We track the number of books created and published, as well as the number of languages these books are available in.
User Engagement: Metrics include the number of active readers, average time spent reading, number of books completed, and the number of pages read.
Community Impact: We measure the number of local authors and illustrators trained, which also reflects our impact on local capacity building.
Qualitative Analysis:
User Feedback: Through user surveys and focus groups, we gather insights into the user experience, usability of the app, and the relevance of the content provided.
Impact Studies: In partnership with Social Creatures, we conducted an impact study in Kenya and Rwanda to assess specific outcomes of our initiatives. Key findings include:
Sustained users of NABU demonstrated significantly higher levels of self-esteem compared to new users, underscoring the social and emotional benefits of access to mother tongue literacy resources.
Qualitative feedback highlighted that children enjoy the culturally resonant content, which enhances their love for reading and engagement with the material.
Our indicators align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:
SDG 4 (Quality Education): Increased access to quality education through mother tongue learning materials.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Bridging the literacy gap across socio-economic and cultural barriers.
NABU is committed to continuous improvement based on data-driven insights. We regularly adjust our content and outreach strategies based on ongoing feedback and detailed analytics to ensure our resources are effectively meeting the needs of learners.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
NABU leverages technology through its two core platforms, the NABU app and NABU web reader, which are specifically designed to make literacy accessible to marginalized children globally.
Technology Features:
Low-Bandwidth Optimization: The NABU app is engineered to function seamlessly in low-bandwidth environments, allowing children in under-resourced areas to access educational content without the need for high-speed internet. This ensures equitable access to educational resources, regardless of geographical and infrastructural limitations.
Mobile and Web Compatibility: Available on both iOS and Android platforms, the NABU app ensures wide accessibility across a diverse range of mobile devices. In addition, the launch of NABU web lite caters to institutions like schools and libraries that have computer labs, enabling broader access through desktop computers.
Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS):nWe utilize OPDS to tailor the delivery of books based on specific regional and linguistic needs, enhancing the relevance and accessibility of content across different demographics.
Offline Accessibility: Integration with the Readium 2 Book Reader allows users to download books and access them offline, addressing the challenge of intermittent internet availability and supporting continuous learning.
Data Analytics and Custom CMS: Our robust backend infrastructure features advanced data analytics through PowerBI, enabling detailed monitoring of usage patterns and educational impact. The custom CMS platform, SLATE, facilitates efficient content management, simplifying the processes of book creation and localization.
Recent Technological Advancements and Future Plans:
Custom Publishing Format and CMS Redesign: The transition to the SLATE platform enhances collaboration with external contributors and streamlines content creation. This transition is part of our broader effort to evolve from an e-reader into a digital literacy tool.
User Experience (UX) Redesign: In partnership with a UX design firm, we are reimagining our app and website to make them more user-friendly. This redesign will support new features like audio narrations and reading comprehension activities, making the platform more interactive and engaging.
Enhanced Learning Features:
Audio Narrations: Upcoming integration of narrations by local voice talent will provide users with a richer, more authentic listening experience, enhancing language acquisition and catering to different learning styles.
Reading Comprehension Activities: Embedded within our book catalog, these activities are designed to foster deeper understanding and engagement, assisting educators and parents in tracking learners’ progress.
Curriculum Alignment: The blueprint was refined by our Learning Designer who conducted in-depth research on the national curriculums in our markets. The common themes and competencies noted from each curriculum helped to shape the global genres, topics and sub-topics included in NABU’s blueprint which in turn has guided our creative efforts in creating books that align to the content students are learning about around the globe.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new application of an existing technology
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
If your solution has a website or an app, provide the links here:
Website: https://www.nabu.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nabu-org/mycompany/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nabuusa/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nabuorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabuorg/ Web Lite: https://read.nabu.org/ IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nabu-multilingual-kids-books/id1483607930 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.libraryforall.simplified&pli=1
In which countries do you currently operate?
Which, if any, additional countries will you be operating in within the next year?
How many people work on your solution team?
Full time staff: 35
Part time staff: 10
Contractors: 100
How long have you been working on your solution?
Since 2014, 10 years.
Tell us about how you ensure that your team is diverse, minimizes barriers to opportunity for staff, and provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all team members.
NABU is steadfast in our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that mirrors the rich tapestry of the communities we serve. Our approach emphasizing local recruitment, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and a community-centric content model.
By prioritizing hiring local team members who originate from the communities we aim to serve. This practice not only ensures that our team reflects the demographic diversity of these areas but also enriches our projects with authentic local insights and perspectives.
Our community-driven content model is fundamental to our commitment to diversity. By involving local creators in the development of our educational materials, we ensure that the stories and illustrations are culturally relevant and resonate deeply with the local readers. This approach helps depict the true essence of the communities on the pages of our books, fostering a sense of identity and pride among young readers.
From the initial design phase of our solutions, NABU engages with local stakeholders—including educators, parents, and community leaders—to ensure their voices are heard and their insights are incorporated. This ongoing dialogue continues to influence the adaptation and implementation of our programs, guaranteeing that our initiatives are not only accepted but also actively supported by the community. Solving the global literacy crisis requires more than just access to books; it necessitates the active participation of all segments of society, from parents and teachers to policymakers and corporate leaders. NABU's strategy involves deep community engagement, where local stakeholders are not just participants but drivers of the literacy initiatives. We are committed to ensuring that even the most marginalized community members have a say in the creation and ongoing development of our solutions. By empowering these individuals to contribute and influence, we uphold our principles of equity and inclusion, making sure that no voice is left unheard.
NABU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to our mission. By embedding these principles into every facet of our operations—from team composition and stakeholder engagement to content creation and community empowerment—we not only enrich our educational offerings but also contribute to the broader goal of creating equitable opportunities for literacy and learning across the globe.
What is your business model?
NABU's business model is designed to maximize both social impact and operational sustainability by delivering high-quality, culturally relevant bi-lingual content in mother tongue languages to children. Our model integrates four key value propositions:
NABU excels in producing globally sourced and created content that is culturally relevant for both creators and consumers in low-income countries. This content is specifically developed to be accessible and engaging, tailored to the linguistic and cultural contexts of the communities we serve.
Our reading app and web reader is designed for low-bandwidth environments, making it easy for smartphone users in low-income countries to download and engage with. The app's user-friendly interface and data-driven features ensure high engagement and utility, meeting the educational needs of our users effectively.
We have established credibility and trust with globally recognized corporate partners, local communities, organizations, governments, and educators. This trust is built on our proven capability to create and distribute impactful content in challenging environments.
NABU is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, earning credibility and respect through continuous engagement and collaboration with local creators and stakeholders.
Children in low-income countries often have limited access to educational resources that reflect their linguistic and cultural backgrounds. NABU addresses this critical gap by providing engaging, culturally relevant books in the children's mother tongue. This not only supports their literacy development—a foundational skill for academic success—but also affirms their cultural identity, increasing engagement and promoting better learning outcomes. The desire for such resources is driven by the need to improve educational equity and provide all children, regardless of background, with the tools necessary for success in a globalized world.
Initially, NABU operated a B2C model with paid reading ambassadors promoting app downloads. While successful in achieving downloads, this model did not sufficiently drive user engagement. To enhance impact, we shifted to a B2B2C model, partnering with local organizations, schools, teachers, and telecommunications companies. This pivot allows us to integrate our tools into existing educational programs, significantly increasing both reach and user engagement.
Our primary beneficiaries are pre-primary school children in marginalized communities, who lack access to engaging educational content in their native languages. We acquire customers through strategic partnerships with local entities that facilitate the integration of our tools into broader educational initiatives, thus expanding our reach and impact.
As a nonprofit, NABU offers its technology free to end-users. Our operations are funded through a combination of philanthropic contributions, including a strong individual donor base, a robust grants program, and corporate sponsorships from entities like HP Inc, Globe, and WhatsApp. We also engage in licensing agreements with for-profit publishers like Scholastic, which provide additional revenue streams. These diverse funding sources ensure the sustainability of our operations and support continuous improvements and expansions of our offerings.
NABU's business model not only addresses the urgent need for accessible literacy education but also ensures long-term sustainability and scalability. Through innovative partnerships and a strong commitment to community-driven solutions, NABU is making a profound impact on global literacy, setting children on a path to brighter futures.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Organizations (B2B)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable, and what evidence can you provide that this plan has been successful so far?
NABU is highly sustainable in the long-term. It is a replicable, affordable model that can be implemented globally. We sustain our project's impact by investing in partnerships with external researchers and universities who independently validate the impact of NABU in increased reading engagement and literacy rates. Ultimately, we will use this data as an evidence base to further fund the scaling and sustainability of NABU’s programs.
NABU is a non-profit organization, and thus our technology is completely free. To support our work, we have a number of recurring, sustainable philanthropic revenue streams to support the programs. We have a strong individual donor base, a high performing grants program, multiple corporate sponsors such as HP Inc, and finally NABU is growing licensing agreements with for-profit publishers, such as Scholastic, with whom we have a current contract. The greatest need for future funding is for ongoing maintenance and upgrades to the app.
Solution Team
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JL
Jessica Laing Business Development Manager, NABU Global Inc
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Our Organization
NABU Global Inc