Train 300 Liberians in literacy and democracy

Some of the key outcomes of the program of training rural Liberians in literacy and governance run by the Rights and Rice Foundation has begun to be felt.  In previous reports we outlined the fact that 27 women participants of a previous training program who graduated from our one year training had all benefitted from a micro finance program, run by BRAC, an international micro finance organization. The criterion required to benefit from the scheme was that members had to be able to read and write. Thus training in literacy and democracy has gone just restoring dignity to the participants; it is also bringing them tangible proof of how they can improve their increased income and increase in living standards of their families.

In another report we had reported that a young lady who previously did not attend school prior to going through the literacy and democracy training, following her graduation from the literacy and democracy training, build enough courage to attend the formal school is now in grade 5 and plan on becoming a nurse.  Many other young women in her age group had done the same, and are now enrolled in formal schooling.

In this report we  now highlight that in a number of communities where our program has gone on and have completed the core training of one year, some graduates have launched a new scheme to mobilize local resources and ensure that the training benefit many more members of their communities.  There are seven (7) communities in which this initiative is on going.  If successful, another  105 men and women who have in the past had no exposure to formal schooling will be able to write their names and write simple sentences, know and use the numbers 1 – 100, know and demand their rights as members of the universe and also as civilians of their country.

This new initiative needs the full encouragement and support; and the contribution of all of you our donors is very much valued.