International Literacy Day (ILD) is about spreading awareness about the work that remains to be done to obliterate illiteracy across the globe. Nearly 800 million people worldwide are illiterate, 126 million of whom are children. That’s about 12% of the people on the planet.

To spark awareness on how to take #800Mil2Nil, ILA has put together the first of many tools we plan to put in the hands of literacy champions. This initial effort, comprised of four infographics, arms advocates with the information vital to spreading awareness about illiteracy. Downloading these infographics from the Take Action section of the ILA website and spreading them via social media will shine the light on not only the impact but also the causes of illiteracy everywhere. Spread this information using the hashtag #800Mil2Nil to keep the discussion going on how we can eliminate illiteracy.

The ILD 2015 Activity Kit, released this Spring in preparation for ILD can also be used year-round. This free kit has a wealth of classroom activities that can be used throughout the school year. The kit’s content is focused on The Philippines, whose people peacefully caused meaningful change through collective action to not only overthrow a dictator, but also to raise literacy rates in the country to an impressive 97.5%.

As a tangible product of efforts to spread literacy to all, communities all over the world—including the one at International Literacy Association headquarters in Newark, DE—will establish Little Free Libraries in honor of ILD. The libraries will bring books to people who may not otherwise have access to reading material and volunteers will keep the shelves stocked for children and adults alike.

Through awareness, education, and collective action, we can solve the illiteracy problem. What will you do to bring #800Mil2Nil?

April Hall is editor ofLiteracy Daily. A journalist for about 20 years, she has specialized in education, writing and editing for newspapers, websites, and magazines.