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Mission agency confronts adult illiteracy as it
observes Int'l Literacy Day, Sept. 8
LITERAL CRISIS: Around 773 million adults worldwide — equal
to more than twice the population of the U.S. — can't read or write. The
magnitude of the crisis is difficult to grasp, says GFA World (www.gfa.org)
on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.
NEWS PROVIDED BY
GFA World
Sept. 6, 2023
WILLS POINT, Texas, Sept. 6, 2023 /Christian
Newswire/ -- A shocking number of adults around the world can't read or
write even a simple sentence, says mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org)
as it marks International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.
According to the United Nations' education agency
UNESCO, approximately 773 million adults worldwide — equal to more than
twice the population of the U.S. — lack basic literacy skills.
Most of them are women, reports Texas-based Christian organization GFA World.
"The magnitude of this crisis is difficult for us to grasp in developed
countries where free literacy education is readily available," said K.P.
Yohannan, also known as Metropolitan Yohan, founder of GFA World. "Yet the
reality is that millions of adults around the world can't read or write,
magnifying the struggles of almost every aspect of life."
The organization provides literacy classes for thousands of the world's poorest
adults and children.
Writing First Letters
In some of the most remote places on earth, GFA World is giving men and women
who had no chance to go to school the opportunity to learn to read and write,
and for many students, their slates in hand, these are the first letters they've
ever written.
"Due to lack of money, I could not study in my childhood," said one woman who is
learning to read and write at a GFA-supported church-based literacy center in
Asia. "I'm thankful to the leaders of the church for starting (classes) here,"
she said.
Learning to read and write builds a sense of self-worth and achievement, and
prepares adults for better employment opportunities in the future so they're not
resigned to menial labor and a hand-to-mouth existence. It also provides
safeguards against financial exploitation and safety hazards, allowing them to
help their family navigate daily life and ultimately thrive.
"This is a way we can show the world's most marginalized people that they're of
tremendous value to God, that he loves them dearly and cares about their
future," Yohannan said.
"International Literacy Day puts the focus on the crisis of adult illiteracy and
calls us to take action now," he added.
GFA World (www.gfa.org)
is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring
vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in
Africa and Asia, and sharing the love of God. In a typical year, this includes
thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families
and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 880 villages and
remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water
filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 163,000 needy
families, and teaching to provide hope and encouragement in 110 languages in 14
nations through broadcast ministry. GFA World has launched programs in Africa,
starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit the
Press Room at
https://gfanews.org/news.
SOURCE GFA World
CONTACT: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660,
gwooding@inchristcommunications.com