PHOTO: Guest speaker and other officials at the Literacy Day program
By Edwin M. Fayia, III edwinfayia@yahoo.com
A colourful and well attended International Literacy Day program was on September 8, 2020 celebrated under the auspices of Alfalit International Liberia in the Paynesville City suburb of Monrovia.
The occasion, mainly attended by adult literacy learners, officials of Ministry of Education (MOE) and executives of Alfalit International Liberia as well as some members of the Board Directors of Alfalit International Liberia, was held in the Church of God edifice at the ELWA Junction.
In her splendid reflection as guest speaker, former Alfalit International Liberia graduate, Ms. Ma Sue Pokah urged the Liberian Government particularly the Ministry of Education (MOE) to place genuine premium on education and prioritize adult literacy education in the country.
In very emotional and heart-warming remarks, she reminded the silent audience that she was brought to Monrovia from rural Liberia by a relative basically to do domestic works, such as child care and home catering.
Ms. Pokah also recalled that few years ago, she was provided the privilege to pursue education in a neighbourhood school in the suburb of Monrovia.
Regrettably, she narrated that the principal took advantage of her 15 years age and perpetually and sexually abused her on numerous occasions.
“My difficult education journey has to come to a complete halt due to the fact that I became pregnant and dropped from school and sadly my conditions also became very bad by all accounts,” Ms. asserted with sadness.
She however, reminded all those already enrolled in the Alfalit International Adult Literacy Program in Liberia to forge ahead and added that it is never too late to learn how to read, write and comprehend in English.
Ms. Pokah explained that at the moment, she is able to send text messages and also read all messages sent to her mobile smart phone adding such was made possible through the Alfalit Liberia adult literacy education program in the country.
She also underscored the need for Liberian market and women of all walks of life to enrol in the Alfalit Liberia Adult Literacy Program in order to leave the darkness of illiteracy and ignorance to the light of hope, development, growth and progress.
In a brief statement, the acting Executive Director of Alfalit International Liberia, Rev. Jerome C. Williams disclosed that the current situation of the adult literacy entity in terms of grant provision for the running of adult literacy classes is not too good.
Director Williams however, admonished Liberians especially the adult literacy learners not to despair as God and other genuine support partners will turn the difficult conditions into solid hope and reality in the years to come.
Besides, Director Williams also printed a bleak picture of statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of Liberia illiteracy rate at (52%).
He however noted that Liberians especially the adult literacy learners should not be discouraged and frustrated as all solid efforts are being exerted to galvanize the needed resources to organize and run many classes in several parts of the country.
In a special statement, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alfalit Liberia, Mrs. Mildred Dean described literacy in the general context as power to make one a productive and useful citizen in any society.
Director Williams further assured the MOE and partners that Alfalit International Liberia will remain a strong service provider in the adult literacy arena in all parts of the country as the needed financial resources are made available to the adult literacy organization in the years to come.
The Alfalit International Liberia head pointed out that Liberia needs a robust adult literacy access for those Liberians especially the market women, girls and school drop outs in order to make Liberia a genuine functioning society.
Mrs. Dean assured Liberians, including the adult literacy learners mainly women to strive not only to read and write in English through the Alfalit Liberia adult literacy classes in the country.
“You all should strive hard to read, write and comprehend what you have written and read in the various modules of the adult literacy organization in your various communities in our country,” Mrs. Dean stressed.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Montserrado County Chief Education Officer Samuel Bondo urged the adult literacy learners to take the adult literacy classes serious and learn all aspects of the modules been provided by the Alfalit International Liberia for their future growth and progress.
CEO Bondo assured the organizers of the adult literacy classes for mainly Liberian market women, girls and school drop outs of the MOE resolve to support the vital educational initiative in the country.
In a vote thanks statement, Alfalit International Liberia Program Supervisor George Sarwah Stewart said in spite of the many challenges being encountered by the adult literacy entity in Liberia, prospects for a brighter future are good for adult literacy learners in Liberia.
He also disclosed that as a result of starting classes for the adult literacy learners in Liberia during COVID19 virus, the lead financial sponsor and president of Alfalit International Liberia, Dr. Joseph Milton of the United States is delighted and pleased with the latest development.
Mr. Stewart intimated that of the 430 adult literacy learners currently enrolled in the Alfalit International Liberia program, each of them was given a 25kg bag of rice and other assorted food items by Dr. Joseph Milton on behalf of Alfalit International.