Lucia is a single mother of five children between 5 and 17. Last year, she joined a literacy group supported by Five Talents. “I never learnt to read or write,” Lucia explains. “My parents did not believe in educating girls. We were kept at home to bring a dowry to our parents and wait for marriage. I couldn’t develop the gifts God gave me. But I wanted to become literate, so I joined the programme.” Within just three months, even as COVID disrupted classes, Lucia had already learnt the alphabet, basic arithmetic, and could read a little.
One day she found her church confirmation certificate and realised she had mistakenly taken her friend’s years before, because at the time, she couldn’t even read her own name. Now, Lucia is able to plan for her family and manage her business more effectively. She can pay school fees, teach Sunday School, and even lead hymns in church. “I can stand in front of a crowd without fear. I am a Group Leader, and I can be social.”
A New Confidence Through literacy groups, women like Lucia are gaining more than skills – they are discovering their voice and confidence, enabling them to lead. When you support Five Talents, you equip women like Lucia with the tools to provide for their families, and build a stronger future.