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The Mothers' Union Literacy & Development Programme
The Mothers' Union Literacy & Development Programme (MULDP) is still growing from strength to strength in the 13 dioceses in which is operates. Over the last five years 30,000 women and men have joined the programme as learners of which almost 20,000 have now been accredited literate and numerate. The impact it has had on their lives and those of their families is incredible. Here are a few facilitators and literacy circle group members telling their stories.
Donatile
I have never been to school because my parents were not interested in girl’s education. When I grew up I got married to a literate husband who worked far from home. We were therefore obliged to communicate through letters and it was a big problem for me as I was illiterate. I had to take the letter to someone else to read and sometimes people would lie to me and read what was not written or would reveal all our secrets. This really worried and disappointed me.
When I heard about the Mothers’ Union Literacy & Development programme, I was among the first group to join it. I was very studious during the sessions and our facilitator was very supportive to the whole group. My husband was happy and supportive, too.
When we were accredited, a group of new learners asked me to become their facilitator. I was pleased to hear that and accepted with great joy. Now I do whatever I can to support my learners and enjoy seeing their progress. I have gained more confidence because of the work I am doing and I participate in community discussions without feeling shy. I now send all my children to school so that they will not have the bad experience of what I endured before I became literate. Now that I have gained new skills as a facilitator, I am determined more than ever to help my community to overcome illiteracy because the literacy programme has positively changed my life.
Delphine
I have never been to school but I am very happy now because I am literate thanks to the Literacy Programme. I have got a paid job and am now working as a leader of a development group in Muramvya. I learnt a lot from the programme especially about cleanliness. Before I was not clean at all, but look at me now!’ (pointing at her clothes proudly). Before I joined the programme, I was not self confident, but now that has changed. The proof is that I was able to stand for candidate during local elections and only missed out by a very few votes. This has been an encouragement because I now realise that people trust me because of my self confidence, new skills and knowledge that I have gained from the literacy programme.
I am also proud that I am able to help other women in the area of development and monitor their progress. I wish the literacy programme could reach as many persons as possible and be sustainable so that many people can improve their lives like hers. I am now looking forward to learning a foreign language.
Jacinta
I lost my parents when I was very young and was looked after by other relatives. I wasn’t able to go to school and got married young. I feared my husband and was very shy and quiet in case he beat me. Joining the MULDP has taught me the importance of being able to discuss and talk with my husband and to share problems. This has enabled me to talk freely with him. Now I am literate I am able to read prescriptions when I am given them by the hospital.
I also want to go to university because I am still young. My children go to school and my husband and I now do everything together. Before I was shy now I am not and talk freely with my husband. I also talk in the community without fearing and have been moved to the more advanced literacy group because of my progress.
Rose
I was very small when I came to Juba from Congo. I didn’t go to school and got married at a very early age. Before the MULDP my children didn’t go to school either but now they do. I also speak in public freely and can answer any questions. I am now able to share ideas with my husband and we talk and discuss and solve problems together. There are 16 of us from Congo who are currently in the MULDP we want to return but it is not safe yet so we are enjoying this opportunity to become literate before we go back.
Nama
I became an orphan when I was very young and therefore had no one to pay my school fees so never went to school. Two years ago my husband died and I used to have three children but one died last year when I was arrested for brewing alcohol to earn a little income. I was then sentenced to six months in prison. My child died after becoming sick whilst in prison because there was no proper food or medical care and then they released me with my dead child.
I’ve always wanted to go to school so joined the MULDP afterwards. I have seen great change in my life. I’m now able to think and reason like a real person and am getting my life back together again. I also help the learners in my literacy circle know about agriculture.
Deborah, Block 34, Khartoum
Before I came to the MULDP I was illiterate and didn’t know anything and couldn’t contribute to the family. My husband is also illiterate. I have two married daughters, one married two years ago and the other married last year. I have experienced great change in my family life. When my oldest daughter got married my husband decided they should marry and didn’t ask for my opinion. The changes started after I joined the MULDP. My husband saw changes in the family and house. I am now able to do anything. When a second man came to ask to marry our second daughter my husband came and asked my opinion. I wondered why ask me now but not before, he said you are now literate and your opinion is important. So we both agreed she could marry. Everything from that day onwards until now, if we want to do anything we come together and sit. It didn’t happen before because according to tradition if a man says something it is finished. Now changes have come to our family and we are living a good life.
Our daughters are also literate and they now discuss with their husbands and have learnt from us how important it is.
Steven and Consolatte new facilitators in Ngabwe, Matana
Steven - I accepted to be a facilitator because I have seen that the twa have been left behind. The MULDP is offering to help them have a chance to be literate and this will help his community. I have been in the rebel army and the after ceasefire came back and now want to improve the life conditions here. Before I was fighting to improve life conditions of everyone now I am here in this community to help them improve and very grateful to the programme for giving us a chance.
Consolatte - I have been literate for a long time but was doing nothing, When I saw that people wanted me to help I first felt valued. I used to have people coming to me with letters so I could read and write for them. No this is an occasion where I can help them read and write for themselves so I am happy and very good being able to empower my community.
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