BACKGROUND

Illiteracy poses an acute development challenge in Pakistan, which has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, with less than 50% of the population over age 15 able to read and write. Literacy is even lower amongst women - only 30% of women over age 15 are able to read and write.

This inadequacy, particularly amongst women, exacerbates a variety of related problems including high birth rates, high infant mortality, social immobility, deficient nutrition, poor healthcare, domestic violence and social inequality. Similarly, the impact of basic education, particularly amongst women, permeates throughout the household and multiplies across generations. Click here for more facts on Pakistan's literacy challenges and to contribute.

VISION

Developments in Literacy (DIL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to eradicate illiteracy in remote and neglected areas of Pakistan by establishing primary and secondary level non-formal schools for underprivileged children, primarily girls. DIL schools educate students using a broad curriculum that covers a wide variety of subjects.

Youth Outreach, Developments in Literacy (YOUR DIL) is an initiative aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging support for DIL's objectives amongst a younger generation.

WHAT WE DO

YOUR DIL aims to raise funds both directly, through fundraisers and activity-based events, and indirectly by lending outreach support to other organizations and promoting awareness of the issues surrounding illiteracy in Pakistan.

Click here to find about upcoming events and how you can volunteer, participate and contribute.

PRESENCE

YOUR DIL was founded in New York in January 2005 and has chapters in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C.  DIL was established in 1997 in Los Angeles, with current offices in Los Angeles and Islamabad and with chapter-boards in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, Houston, San Diego, Ottawa and Singapore.

If you don’t see a city near you mentioned above please email us if you are interested in starting a chapter near you!

TRACK RECORD

YOUR DIL currently lends support to all of DIL's projects as well as specifically focusing on the YOUR DIL Nation school based in Orangi, Karachi and the Mansehra project in NWFP created specifically in response to the earthquake in 2005 in the region that destroyed almost 10,000 schools. We continue to focus on expanding our activities within the DIL footprint.

Since its inception in 1997, DIL's fundraising activities have helped establish over 200 schools in rural areas of Pakistan, with approximately 12,000 students currently being educated. Click here for information on DIL projects.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Money raised by YOUR DIL is contributed 100% to DIL accounts, which are audited annually by qualified professionals in the United States. Members work on a volunteer basis and underwrite the majority of the costs themselves. DIL Executive Board members visit projects regularly, incurring all monitoring costs themselves, thus maximizing donations spent on education. For DIL and YOUR DIL audited financials please click here.