Adult Literacy Visits Sept/Oct 2011
on Melissa Hipkins (Rwanda), 08/Oct/2011 14:25, 34 days ago
The level of interest shown for this pilot has increased significantly over the past year. Apolline, Vice Mayor Social Affairs and Charles Munyaneza, the Unesco representative for Southern Province have both been keen to find out more about the project. Apolline allocated two half days within her busy schedule to visit two of the weekly sessions at GS Rubona and GS Nyagisozi. At both classes the adults were delighted that someone from the District level was really interested in their lives. They sang, recited tongue twisters, role played and showed their newly acquired numeracy skills all in English. The response from Epimaque following our visit was summed up in this text message:‘Good weekend, even if late let me thank you for visiting my school. You have built a political will of the representative of district. I hope that project has achieved the objectives. God be blessed and bless your life. Thanks a million.’The impact of this project has in the short term been immense upon the lives of these agricultural semi-literate workers. The level of self confidence has increased significantly. At GS Nyagisozi, the attendees had the courage to question Apolline in English (with some translation by their teacher from Kinyarwanda) about important and pertinent issues. The ensuing political debate was continued in their mother tongue, but this pilot has given these people life skills that few could have envisaged. In the long term the hope is that with the District’s support the programme will go from strength to strength, being rolled out to other Sectors. Not only have these adults been empowered, they now have self belief and the confidence to support and encourage their children to attend and benefit from schooling. A measure of the success of this project will be the reduction in the level of pupils’ dropout within the catchment of these literacy centres. It has been a privilege to be part of this inspirational programme. The warmth and affection that I have received from all participants has been very humbling.