Village Literacy Rehabilitation

Often over 25% or more of the adults accept Christ by the time the classes have concluded, and many say they are reading the Bible or New Testament daily. Almost every Literacy class is resulting in the formation of a Bible Study - Prayer Group

India has more illiterate people than any other nation. Fifty percent of India's 1.1 billion people are functionally illiterate. The majority of Indian women living in rural areas and slums are illiterate.

Targeted people are desperate illiterates who are destined to be nothing, destined to become nothing, and destined to have nothing. They usually live on the outskirts of their villages or in slums. Children do not attend school.

Goal - To have these rehabilitated villages become agents of change as they become examples for surrounding villages to learn the benefits of literacy incorporating Christian truths.

Their dwellings are 6' x 10' and made of mud walls and bamboo sticks that hold up a roof made of leaves. Many huts have no electricity, and no beds or toilets. Five to eight people will live together in one of these huts.

Aim - To rehabilitate an entire village through teaching literacy, awareness of social issues, economic uplift and spiritual development.

Literacy students in action.

Potential - The potential exists for the transformation of an entire village in which the physical, social, economic, and spiritual dimensions of the lives of the villagers are dramatically affected.

Dr. Joyce Scott, a 50-year missionary in India, developed a literacy ministry in which classes meet 2 hours per night, 5 nights per week for 10 months. When a person completes this course, they can read at a 5th grade level.

As they practice reading they also learn about:

• Personal hygiene
• Nutrition -- Proper diet
• AIDS
• Pre- and Post- natal care.
• Community sanitation and rat control.
• Simple math and savings.
• Financial improvement.
• Family relationships.

Most importantly, the primers have Bible-content and each graduate is awarded a complete Bible.

History of Literacy Ministry

Since 1984 India Bible Literature has partnered with over 600 churches and social organizations in 33 states and 7 union territories in India to promote literacy and spiritual growth among the illiterates.

Primers are now available in all 17 major languages in India.

Seven Reasons Why a Literacy Rehabiliation Project Should be Considered

1. Highly Personalized You or your church can be responsible for the rehabilitation of your own specific village in India. The program is tracked on a regular basis and annual reports are sent to you.
2. The success rate is phenomenal Over 88% of those enrolling in the Literacy classes complete the 10-month program.
3. The program multiplies itself 30% are formally involved in the 'Each One Teach One' program. Each person becoming literate in India will impact 5 others to become literate, perpetuating education.
4. Literacy courses teach students to help themselves Self-help skills are taught along with basic instruction in finance. Daily wages increase 40% after literacy.
5. Helps downtrodden women The majority of students are female.
6. Basic health instruction is given to prevent disease The World Health Organization has said in 5 years India will have more cases of AIDS than any other nation in the world.
7. Fantastic spiritual results are being seen due to the Bible content of the primers.

Most importantly, the primers have Bible-content and each graduate is awarded a complete Bible.

Goal of 2 Year Project

• Train 20 Literacy Teachers
• Conduct 20 Literacy Classes, helping 500 people to become literate and learn the Gospel.
• Cost - $30 per student, also prints 10 Bibles.
• Total - $15,000 - prints 5,000 Bibles in addition to training 20 teachers and 500 people to read.

Consequences of illiteracy:

• Economic loss and poverty.
• Staggering health problems with much sickness and disease.
• Absence of population control.
• Exploitation on all levels.
• Spiritual deprivation.

Bonda Tribals in Orissa

Bonda Tribe with evangelists from India Bible Literature.

This is an extremely primitive, unreached tribal group of 12,000.

• They are cut off from civilization and live in mountains and in dense forests.
• They do not wear clothes, eat jungle fruits and hunt monkeys and snakes for food.
• They are 100% illiterate and many die due to infection, disease, and lack of nutrition.
• Three Village Literacy Rehabilitation Projects are needed here which would each conduct literacy classes for 500 people and cost $15,000 each.

Gond Tribals - History

• A nomadic tribal community which migrated from Central India to South India approximately 50 years ago.
• Previously had no land, houses, or occupation.
• Lived in make-shift tents made out of rags and plastic sheets.
• Chased from place to place like gypsies.
• Used to cut their bodies and offer blood sacrifices to idols.

Gond Tribal Village.

Recent Developments

• Many have come to faith in Jesus Christ and have thrown away thier idols.
• Community prayer hall presently full and overflowing.
• Great need is to teach them to become literate so they can read the Bible.
• They continue to be illiterate and live in pathetic conditions.
• Population - 1,500.