Learning to Read in a Wordless Environment 📚

June 2026

Learning to Read

in a Wordless Environment

Carnevali Foundation is dedicated to teaching children how to read.

Our Mission – Transforming Communities, One School at a Time – is driven by the principle that the ability to read is fundamental. Slowly, over time, our schools are providing this essential skill to students and now, to adults from the local community.

This is a government “grocery store”, without words. Here, people below the poverty line – as is the case with many of the families in the neighborhoods where CF schools are located – come to get groceries: rice, lentils, spices. Sacks of food are simply labeled, but mainly shoppers recognize the packaging. There are no written labels – it is a verbal environment and purchases are understood. Shoppers leave with their “goods.” The Shop has no name, but everyone in the neighborhood knows it is there and what is distributed.

Transforming Communities

Humble Neighborhoods

The neighborhood in this photo is across the street from the Shiva Nagar School. In many of such areas there is no visible street address: no building number, no apartment number, no list of occupants. Inhabitants have moved to this location in transition from other places as they search for work to earn a daily wage. It is a very humble place to live with limited access to water.

Shiva Nagar School

Shiva Nagar School was inaugurated in 2023 with the completion of a Rotary WASH Grant.

This project resulted in a Library, a Pre-School, both replete with books and daily classes. It is in stark contrast to the humble nature of the local neighborhood. CF is in the process of expanding the School by adding grades 5 and 6.

No Street Signs, No Numbers

These homes are in the neighborhood of MA Nagar School. Inhabitants live in close proximity and generally know one another very well. Children play together in the street and in their yards. There are no traditional street signs displayed. Houses are not numbered.

Growing Sense of Community

Virtually all the local children attend the MA Nagar School. There is a sense of community within the school and increasingly within the whole neighborhood. Parents take part in meetings with CF and School staff (pictured). And adults attend literacy and sewing classes. But we are excited about the growing participation and enthusiasm for these new found skills!

Well-Stocked Libraries

Every CF School has a well-stocked library with books chosen by the teachers based on the national curriculum. Books are available in Telegu, Hindi and English. Children attend daily classes where they learn about subjects that are currently taught in classrooms. They have time to select and read their favorite genre. They read out loud to their classmates or one-on-one to the librarian.

Word-Rich Environments

Over time, CF Librarians have created word-rich environments that inspire the fun and joy of reading. The librarians share their ideas about how to enhance learning with charts, games, mobiles, and beautiful visual displays on the walls.

The Joy of Learning

When students are able to write and illustrate their own stories, the joy of learning and reading is evident.

Rashni’s Story!

Rashni Kumari, a 5th grade student at our Lenin Nagar School wrote, illustrated and shared her own story!

We are thrilled to announce that we have launched a dedicated website for Carnevali Foundation India

We invite you to explore the new site, learn more about our work, and continue to be part of our growing impact, giving children in disadvantaged communities the opportunity to receive an education.