‘Power of literacy education’ brings change and hope on World Literacy Day
STONEY CREEK, Ontario — With more than 250 million women unable to read or write, faith-based mission agency GFA World (Formerly: Gospel for Asia www.gfa.ca) today cited literacy as a “miracle cure” to release women from poverty.
To mark International Literacy Day, Sunday, Sept. 8, the humanitarian organization located in Canada announced it was publishing a new report titled “Literacy: One of the Great Miracle Cures.” The report is available at https://www.gfa.ca/special-report/literacy.
“Across Asia today, hundreds of millions of people — especially girls and women – live in extreme poverty with the humiliation of not being able to write their own name,” said GFA founder Dr. K.P. Yohannan. “We aim to change that — and give girls and women the gift of literacy in the love of Christ.”
Across Asia, GFA-supported national workers are teaching thousands of girls and women to read and write, holding classes in cities and villages.
“Every day, our workers witness the power of literacy education to bring change, hope and a better future to individuals and to communities,” Yohannan said. “Literacy is truly a miracle cure.”
Expanding Opportunities
Literacy has a “tremendous power,” Dr. Yohannan said, “enabling people to participate fully in society and improve their livelihoods. By God’s grace, we are reducing poverty, improving families’ health and nutrition, and expanding their opportunities.”
Kaavya, a woman suffering from leprosy, fulfilled a lifelong dream when she learned to read at the age of 64. GFA-supported workers visited Kaavya in the leprosy colony and invited her to a literacy class.
“I learned not only reading and writing, but also good habits,” she said. “I will not lose heart because now I can read.”
Women make up more than two-thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate people, reports UN Women, a United Nations agency. And, according to World Population Review, there are 7.7 billion people in the world today — meaning one in every 10 people cannot read or write.
Literacy: Immeasurable Gift
“To be able to read and write is a gift of immeasurable worth,” said Yohannan, whose mission has served the poor and marginalized for 40 years.
GFA World helps provide literacy education through a network of national workers, and through the Bridge of Hope child sponsorship program that currently supports more than 70,000 children.
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Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019, GFA World, www.gfa.ca is a leading faith-based mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. In GFA World’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,700 clean water wells drilled, over 11,400 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 240,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.
PHOTO CUTLINE: FREED TO READ: To mark International Literacy Day, Sept. 8, mission agency GFA World, www.gfa.ca today cited literacy as a “miracle cure” to release women from poverty. Special report available at https://www.gfa.ca/special-report/literacy.
