In secular terms learning to read is a significant step in establishing self-worth and promoting the development of a population. Spiritually, illiteracy hinders church growth and the believer’s ability to grow in Christ. The Hausa Literacy Project aims to help the rural Hausa to read and live.
From January through April 2010 there were 350 students in 20 classes mainly in the Dogon Doutchi department of Niger. Over 200 of these learners were women. 78 students were awarded a literacy certificate. Sixteen people accepted Christ.
Nine of the teachers were ladies. Most are pastors wives, and taught women in their home church or village. Three of them commuted to teach their class. Some included teaching songs,
memory verses, and occasionally handicrafts as part of the class work.
Mrs Maimuna Shai’ibu started a class in December as an outreach to neighbourhood women whether Christian or not. She chose not to use the church building, but hold the class on “neutral ground”. At the end of each month there has been a special day of witnessing to village ladies. Maimuna is prepared to continue teaching her friends for as long as they will keep
coming. We have seen several of the women instructors gaining leadership confidence, an additional bonus to the literacy work.
We thank the Lord for the funding to meet all our project commitments for the past dry season. We have now used up the literacy primers printed in 2006, so a new printing is essential for this programme to continue. We will need at least £1700 for this, above and beyond the funds needed to run classes in 2011. Each class has a budget of £250, which includes teacher’s allowance, a portion of a supervisor’s allowance, and materials excluding cost of primers. Already for 2011 we have invitations to hold reading classes in unevangelized villages. We have many existing classes which need a further year of consolidation. Young believers in some locations are “at risk” as there is no full-time worker to disciple them.
Did you know that literacy is an excellent way to make firends for new missionaries still language learning? Helping someone to read opens the door to friendship at all levels.
