When Women Can Read

Where women can read, infant and under-5 mortality rates are lower. There is also better nutrition and hygiene in the home, education of the children, and increased health awareness.

It has been said that the education of women is one of the key determiners of the health and survival of families.

Entire communities fare better when women can read.

In rural Mozambique, where our mission is located, approximately 70% of women cannot read, and the infant and under-5 mortality rate hovers around 10-20% (conservative estimate).

This is why our women’s literacy program is so vital. By enabling women to read, we help save lives! This program has helped many women and families already, but there is still much work to do.

Our vision for the coming year is to increase our basic literacy effort, and to better equip women leaders for the task of teaching and mentoring those attending class. Combining basic literacy with health teaching and Bible study fosters an environment where women can learn together, engage in open discussion of topics presented, and support each other.

And there’s yet another benefit to women learning–younger children who tag along to class learn alongside their mothers! These children learn not only the basics of reading and writing directly, but they also learn good habits by watching their mothers attend class and make the effort to learn something new.

What a wonderful package deal…mothers and children going to school, learning, and growing together in faith and knowledge!

Would you like to partner with us in helping women learn to read? Just click here to support the program. For non-Canadian donors, visit our giving page for more information.

Also, please remember to pray–that the program would be fruitful, and that the women attending will continue to dedicate themselves to learning and open themselves to growth.