Literacy Opens Doors for Women in South Asia

diciembre 8, 2015 •
Literacy Opens Doors for Women in South Asia

A center gives women skills to live and the opportunity to find faith

A mother stood with her two teenage girls begging Mrs. K to accept them as students at the Shama women’s center. The center, supported by Samaritan’s Purse, helps marginalized women in South Asia find their identities in Jesus through spiritual, vocational, and literacy training. The mother longed for her daughters to have education and purpose in life.

“I want my girls to grow up to be like you!” she said.

Literacy Opens Doors for Women in South Asia

Women sit in a literacy class at the Shama center.

Mrs. K looked at the sisters. They couldn’t read and had not finished elementary school. She kindly encouraged the mother to bring them back once they were over 18.

“First let your girls complete their schooling,” she said.

But just weeks later, the mother returned. She couldn’t pay the fees for her girls to finish school and was desperate for them to receive some training.

Mrs. K relented and accepted the older of the two girls, Farhanna, as a student.

A Life Forever Changed

Mrs. K not only taught Farhanna how to read, but she also shared regular Bible lessons with her. They sat in the middle of the classroom together, and sometimes Mrs. K would take Farhanna’s hand and guide her in learning how to write.

Although it took her twice as long as the other students to complete her classes, Farhanna persevered. Along the way, she found faith in Jesus, was baptized, and became active in her church.

Today, she has a good job at a supermarket and teaches a young women’s Bible study in the evenings.

Farhanna wants to see other women have the opportunity that she had. She has offered to return to the school to help with trainings, even though she will earn less money in doing so.

Overcoming Obstacles

Another young woman named Nida chose to use her challenges as stepping-stones to a new life of service.

Nida comes from a large family with an alcoholic father. As the oldest child, she wanted an education so that she could support her family. She began working with her mother cleaning houses in the morning and coming to the Shama women’s center in the afternoon. Nida participated in the adult literacy program for two years and learned to read. During this time, she also accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized in the sea.

As a result of the literacy program, Nida was able to complete 10th grade. Afterward, she returned to the women’s center to take theology classes for two more years. Today, Nida loves to share about Jesus. She teaches Sunday school, serves on the prayer team, and participates in a weekly women’s gathering.

A World of Opportunity

Adult literacy programs meet a need among the women of South Asia. Many girls receive only the most elementary education and then must stay home or find a job cleaning houses to support their families. Learning the basic skills of reading and mathematics allows women to earn a better living and manage their personal finances. Literacy also makes it possible for them to study the Bible on their own and grow in their faith.

Shama women’s center assists people like Nida, Farhanna, and many others in finding their identity and purpose in Jesus. With new confidence and training, the women are overcoming the obstacles of their lives with joy. Currently, 130 women are enrolled, and more are expected.

“The women are so excited to know that women from the U.S. are standing beside them,” one of our partners said. “[We] see this as an incredible opportunity to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. This is a story that God continues to write among the lives of the women of South Asia.”

Please pray that God will use this literacy and training program to make His Name known among the women. Pray that He will light their paths to lives full of faith and possibility.

APOYO
Ayuda a las mujeres alrededor del mundo Nuestros proyectos alrededor del mundo apoyan, protegen y bendicen a mujeres vulnerables, en el nombre de Jesucristo. Cuando golpea un desastre natural o estalla una guerra, las mujeres y sus hijos suelen ser los que están más en riesgo. Samaritan’s Purse da respuesta rápidamente, proveyendo comida, agua, refugio y atención médica de urgencia. Además, las mujeres enfrentan desafíos específicos en muchos contextos en todo el mundo, razón por la cual Samaritan’s Purse también ayuda a quienes necesitan capacitación vocacional, cuidados prenatales y clases de nutrición para madres, proyectos evangelísticos para prevenir el abuso y la explotación, entre otras iniciativas.

Proyectos de mujeres 013977
Donación sugerida: $30
$

Más

Español
Quantcast