Caroline was like many of the 60 people – almost all female - taking an adult literacy class in the impoverished African nation of Liberia.
The mother of four found herself divorced at age 36 because of a reason that seems almost ridiculous to outsiders, but tragically real to Caroline: her husband told her she was not educated enough to be his wife.
“Can you imagine that I sold slippers just to pay for him to go to school?” Caroline recalled. “I helped him from sixth grade up to college.”
Poor literacy rates plague many developing nations. In 13 African countries, less than 50 per cent of the population can read. Another four African nations have a literacy rate of less than 60 per cent. The problem is particularly significant for women. In countries such as Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Niger women’s literacy rates are below 30 per cent.
Caroline took the first steps to significantly changing her life situation through a Samaritan’s Purse literacy program, an eight-month course with 90-minute classes three times per week.
Classes focused on literacy, numeracy, and knowledge and understanding of the Bible.
The results were dramatic.
By the time participants graduated, beginners could write simple sentences, tell the time, and perform simple addition and subtraction. Intermediate students increased their understanding of grammar and two-digit multiplication, while advanced students learned tenses, irregular verbs, and weight measurement.
Even more important, all students learned valuable Bible lessons about good parenting and other topics, including the love of Christ.
By supporting projects such as this, you can help women in developing nations better care for themselves and their children.
The program that helped Caroline had another benefit: strengthening relationships between participants and the church. Two of the instructors were pastors’ wives from local churches and these women also became counselors to students who had difficult home situations.
“I thank God for the facilitators who have talked with me and helped me look to God and continue my education,” said Caroline.
The program also made a positive difference for married relationships. During the graduation ceremony, a graduate’s husband stood up, thanked his wife for her accomplishments, then caused laughter by sheepishly telling everyone how, because of his wife’s new knowledge of numbers, he could no longer trick her when it came to money matters.
Back to last page
Ways You Can Help
|
Pray
Please pray that God will restore hope and dignity to hurting women around the world, and that He will provide abundant resources, effective partnerships, and meaningful opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. |  | GivePartner with Samaritan’s Purse to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation that is oppressing women in the developing world. Donate Here.
|
|