Can you imagine your town if almost 3/4 of all people over15 were unable to read? Not too many people would be working, or runningbusinesses, or buying local papers, or responding to advertising, or using thelibrary, or reading timetables…not to mention reading the Bible.

That is the reality of life in Burkina Faso. Think howquickly your town would cease to function as it does. The widespread hold ofilliteracy keeps families in debt traps, repeating generation after generationin a horrible cycle. How can you afford to send your children to school if theonly job you have doesn’t pay enough to feed them? You simply can’t. They needto go to work, just like you did as a child.

This cycle needs to be broken to offer the next generation achance at an improved life, with more opportunities.

Literacy in the name of Jesus!

What better way to show the love of Jesus by meeting thevery real needs of a community? The Literacy Programme being run by the BibleSociety in Burkina Faso, draws strength through partnership with localchurches. Together, thousands of people who have been trapped in illiteracy arehaving their eyes opened to the skills of reading and writing. People of allages are attending classes and discovering God’s love for them in the processas they are introduced to His Word!

The material used includes topics on economy, environment,health, family and citizenship, allowing learners to improve their living andworking conditions. ‘New Learners’ Bible reading groups allow development ofskills and draw people into the Word of God.

During 2016 literacy classes will be run in six nationallanguages – Moore, Jula, Dagara, San, Bissa and Gulmacema.

Literacy and Dignity

“I couldn’t read a single thing. Not even numbers. Whichmeant that I couldn’t even dial a number on my mobile phone to call mychildren,” says Porgo Salamata, who lives in Ouagadougou, the capital city. “Iused to have to go and ask a neighbour, who wasn’t always available.

“I also used to feel so down when I went into town and sawall the signs and billboards. I wished I could understand what they said. But Imostly felt frustrated at not being able to read the Bible for myself. I lovedhearing the pastor preach but I wished I could read the Bible passage he waspreaching and take notes to remind myself of what he said.

“That’s why I enrolled in classes at the Bible Societyliteracy centre. They’ve really made a difference for me. Now I can dial mychildren’s numbers myself. I take delight in reading the signs in town – and inchurch, too! And, most of all, I am so happy because I can read my Bible –either by myself or at church!”

Please help

You can help more people change their lives by learning toread. Just £11.50 will pay for one more person to join a class. Click the donate button to help change lives in Burkina Faso.

Find out more at www.bsni.co.uk/projects