ADRA launches literacy programme for rural women

Rwamagana – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has announced plans to facilitate a two-year education project as part of its efforts to increase literacy levels among rural women in the Eastern Province. Geoffrey Ngiriwonsanga, ADRA’s provincial representative, announced this while closing a two-day workshop for women trainers which attracted over 200 women from every district in the province.He said the project offers women who have limited or no access to education the opportunity to gain basic literacy skills. “High literacy levels will enable women to make positive and meaningful contributions towards the development of their communities. This is the bottom line of the project,” he said. Jean Marie Makombe, the Executive Secretary of the Province, also noted that women literacy was vital for the general development of society. He said literacy levels among ages 6-24 are at 84% due to the 9 Year-Basic Education programme, adding that high illiteracy levels are mainly among the elderly. “You must be able to read and write in order to take medication properly, apply pesticides safely and use a cell phone. Literacy is fundamental in the modern world,” he said. Alice Uwingabiye, the Coordinator of the National Women Council in Eastern Province, said the campaign would bring fundamental changes in rural families. “As women leaders, we are normally disturbed by inability to fully communicate with the illiterate. Illiterate women can’t use internet and send messages on the phone, yet they own phones. The training will change communication from oral to other forms,” she said. The program is funded by British Department for International Development (DfID) in partnership with ADRA England.