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Job (far right) with some of his students in Wasaga. |
This is part of the Community Development Program: Learn more about ABM’s Programs here
This story illustrates the impact of your gift to the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) project. It is the story of one inspirational man, Job, tirelessly working on a volunteer basis to teach others the vital skill of literacy. He is part of a growing network of adult literacy teachers throughout Vanuatu, supported by the Anglican Church of Vanuatu and ABM.
“My name is Job. I am 36 years old and live in Wasaga on West Vanua Lava Island. I have been teaching the Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) program for more than five years, two of which have been through the Anglican Church of Melanesia Vanuatu (ACOMV). I have had 14 students for five years, and there are several advanced learners that I am pleased to be moving to higher levels.
“This year has been the most challenging, however. Our community primary school was closed, because it did not meet the Vanuatu government standards needed for children’s education, and no other school was set up.
“Parents soon began seeking to enrol their children in my classes. As an LLN volunteer and a parent, I felt for the 31 children who did not have the chance to attend school. So I sought advice from the Anglican Church of Melanesia program coordinators, and they are working to provide support for me in teaching everyone who wants to learn.
“In the meantime, I was teaching six hours a day for five days a week to ensure the 31 children and 14 adults can continue their education.
“The LLN program coordinators and the Diocese of Banks and Torres education secretary were able to establish links with another primary school on the island, and arranged to transfer advanced students to their school. It was agreed by the principal, so five students began to attend there in March. The children have to walk one hour and 30 minutes each way to attend class. But the other 26 students still remain in my LLN class.
“With illiteracy common amongst adults here, it’s often difficult for them to understand the importance of this skill. But then I always feel for the children and their future, because I have experienced what life can be like with literacy and numeracy skills. I also really enjoy the opportunities the LLN program gives me to learn about other issues, such as climate change, disaster risk reduction and disability inclusion, and how we can address these in our communities.
“I must acknowledge the ACOMV program staff for making their efforts to keep me there with these learners. Everyone is having hard times, but they are doing their very best to help us in very remote areas.”
The ACOMV Literacy program coordinators are currently working with the Diocese of Banks and Torres and the Wasaga community to raise funds, enabling Job to receive a small allowance for his work.
Your support will fund teacher training, books and materials and coordination of the program.
VU006EA needs $51,279 in 2018 (tax-deductible)
You can make an online donation to this project.
Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.
Gifts to ABM will be applied to the support of project(s) selected. In the unlikely event of the project being oversubscribed or not proceeding to completion, donations will be applied to a similar project to the one(s) selected.
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