Eliya and her three sisters lost their parents at a young age. Their grandmother took them in and raised them, but she didn’t see the value of education for girls and so the sisters took care of housework and jobs on the family farm. Eliya was married at 13, and a year later she gave birth. Education had never been part of her story, until she joined a literacy group in her community. “I am now happy about this opportunity. Now I know how to read and write vowels, and a few consonants.” Although her child’s recent illness caused her to miss some classes, Eliya has rejoined and is determined to catch up. She already sees changes in her daily life. “When I go home, I look at the Bible and look for the letters I have learnt – and I find them all. Then I look at the song book pages and I find them, too.”
Finding Her Voice
For Eliya, literacy is more than just writing. She’s realising her dream of creating a future for her child, and has gained the confidence to persevere.