The moment that the non-governmental organization (NGO) AFASA created literacy classes in our village, it was an opening for the elderly, young women, girls and even the men who had not gone to school to have a formal education. All these people succeed at reading and writing because they work hard at the literacy courses.

I want to tell you one thing. Before literacy came to our area, I was a seller (in the local market) and I regularly purchased a ticket for my selling spot. Then I studied and learned to read. I knew how to read numbers. One day the ticket sellers came to my spot in the market, gave me a ticket marked 50 francs, and told me I owed 100 francs. I gave them 50 francs. They said it was 100 francs. I told them I was not ignorant and I knew how to read and write. I said they could no longer trick me and steal from me. I told them they had truly benefited from my “interest” and put money in their own pockets because of it. From this day on, they have never done such stupid things.

I know a lot about first aid because of literacy because these courses are given in my language. I read about making compost and that has helped me pay off some debts I had accumulated by buying chemical fertilizer. I thank those who initiated literacy (in my area) and all those who give of their energy to advance this project. May God bless them!