The Adult Literacy Program is founded on the Biblical principle of teaching children God’s word (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:7, Luke 10:21). The Literacy rate among women in Zambia is 60% and among men is 76% (defined as the percentage of persons age 15 and over who can read and write).(UNICEF:http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/zambia_statistics.html). Mothers are key figures for the spiritual growth and learning of children as they are the primary caregivers in the early stages of life for their children. The ability to read and write is a necessary component to teach and strengthen children spiritually, and also opens many opportunities to them as they grow older.
The literacy program held several trainings in 2008 including Chipata, Misolo/Petauke, and Choma/Ndola (held in Lusaka). A total of sixteen facilitators were trained in 2008 which is in addition to the ten trained from Central Province in 2007.
The program uses the Reflect Literacy method which utilizes basic materials (picture below) and real community issues such as, drunkenness, poverty, or orphans as the foundation for learning to read and write. One literacy group has started a knitting group as a result of their empowerment through literacy.
Picture: Woman practicing writing in Mulimba, Eastern Province.
