ADULT LITERACY CENTERS

The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the Workforce Investment Act (1998) defines literacy as “an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English, compute, and solve problems, at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual, and in society.” The United Nations Education, Social, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2004) defines literacy more broadly as “the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning to enable an individual to achieve his or her goals, to develop his or her knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in the wider society.”

 In the slums of NTR nagar, Kukatpally, we have identified many women who were longing to be educated but the situations at home when thye were child, when they were married and when they had families have curbed their desire to be educated as well as lack of opportunities and time have left them uneducated. They could not read or write. 

 Bethel Gospel Church has stepped into the gap and has created opportunity for the women to come and get educated for two hours in a day where they can learn right from alphabets, reading skills and now can even write. There are thirty women who have completed two years of this program, who now can not only read and write but also have influenced many of their neighbours to join this program. 

 

 Testimonials:

" I can read now and this has helped me to read the bus numbers and the place where it goes to. Now, I can ride a bus on my own."

"Whenever my child had doubts with alphabets, he used to ask me and I was blank as I knew nothing. I felt insufficient as a mother and always used to cry that I am uneducated. Now I can teach my kids alphabets and few words. I am a proud mother." 

" I work as a daily labour and never knew how to count my wages. I was cheated by my supervision many times and knew it only when others told me. No I can count and add which gives me confidence to ask my supervision for the right pay. I demand what I deserve".