Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world hence posing an acute development challenge.

Literacy rates in Pakistan average 49% nationwide and in remote rural areas can be as low as 0.5% for women. It is one of the few countries where illiteracy is on the rise, and is ranked second in the world for having the most out-of-school children (6.5 million), according to a UNESCO report.

With an ever-increasing population and inadequate government investment in the education sector, there's an even greater urgency to address this grave issue of illiteracy and its effect on the future of its people and its country.

Developments in Literacy (DIL), a non-profit organization, was launched in February 1997 in Southern California with the purpose of eradicating illiteracy in the remote and neglected areas of Pakistan by establishing primary and secondary level schools for underprivileged children, primarily girls. DIL firmly believes that education is a critical requisite for empowering individuals with appropriate skills to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

DIL Canada was registered in Toronto under the Corporations Act in July 2005 and it was launched with the aim of providing support to its parent organization's objectives by raising funds both directly, through fundraisers and activity-based events, and indirectly by promoting awareness.

Today DIL has head offices in L.A, Toronto and Islamabad and has chapter-boards in Toronto, Ottawa, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Houston, San Diego, United Kingdom and Singapore.